ELM CREEK, Neb. — A Nebraska man is in custody after authorities say he abandoned a stolen pickup and fled into a cornfield.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says the Nebraska State Patrol arrested 18-year-old Christian Randels of Firth after hours of searching for him in a rural area east of Elm Creek. Multiple agencies participated in the search and used drones, K-9 units and the state patrol’s fixed-wing aircraft.

The incident started around 8:50 Wednesday morning when a Kearney police officer noticed a stolen vehicle near the Ramada Inn. The police department’s FLOCK Safety Automated License Plate Reader system helped law enforcement to track the truck and determine it had been stolen out of Sarpy County.

A news release says Randels left the vehicle and ran into a cornfield after being spotted by a sheriff’s deputy near Elm Creek. Troopers arrested him around 5:45 p.m. and booked him into the Buffalo County Jail on charges of theft by receiving stolen property, willful reckless driving and obstructing an officer.

 

 
 

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KEARNEY, Neb. -- Authorities are searching for a man who they say abandoned a stolen vehicle and fled into a cornfield in Elm Creek.   

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office said a Kearney police officer observed a stolen vehicle near the Ramada Inn on Wednesday morning.   

The vehicle was reportedly last seen near 11th St. and Second Ave. in Kearney. Thanks to the FLOCK Safety Automated License Plate Reader system, officers were able to locate the vehicle and the direction it was going.   

The GMC pickup with South Dakota license plates was reportedly stolen from Sarpy County.   

A news release said the vehicle was later spotted on Highway 30, east of Elm Creek. According to officers, the driver fled on foot into a cornfield off of Cessna Road. He is believed to be about 18-years-old, six feet tall and 200 pounds. He was wearing a light-colored shirt.   

Officers said that they have a possible suspect in mind but it has not been confirmed.   

At this time the driver hasn’t been apprehended and residents in the area have been notified.   

Authorities are on scene searching for the person with drones, K-9 units and a state patrol aircraft. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.