Pursuit In Merrick County Wednesday Leads To Arrest Thursday

Photo Credit: Merrick County Sheriff's Office

(Merrick County, NE) - On January 3, 2024, at approximately 9:54 pm, a tan Cadillac Deville was observed to be traveling eastbound on Highway 30 from Chapman, faster than the posted speed limit. The Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop and the vehicle evaded in a reckless manner and failed to stop and continued to travel northbound on 7th Road. A pursuit was initiated, and the vehicle continued northbound on 7th Road past Chapman Road. At 7th Road and I Road, the vehicle attempted to turn westbound on I Road, failed to navigate the turn, and ended up in the ditch on the north side of I Road.

The driver then exited the vehicle and failed to comply with verbal commands and took off on foot into a field just north of the ditch. Due to weather conditions, visual observation was lost with the male and a passenger was located in the vehicle. A perimeter was established by members of the Central Nebraska Special Response Team and the Nebraska State Patrol. Thermal imaging drones were used in an attempt to locate the male driver. Nebraska State Patrol K-9 began a track for the male that continued for several hours. After a total elapsed time of approximately 5 hours, the search was discontinued. A passenger in the vehicle who did not flee the scene, was identified and later released without being charged. Alcohol was believed to be a factor.

On Jan 4 2024, at approximately 9:00 am, a rural county resident in the area of 7th Road and J Road reported finding an unknown male subject in a camper located on the property and reported the male subject left the property on foot towards Archer Road.
At approximately 10:30 am, a second rural Merrick County resident reported a male subject matching the description of the male was standing on her back porch. This resident was able to provide a photo from her surveillance camera and a location where the male subject ran. A perimeter was immediately set up and deputies began canvassing the wooded area on foot and located the male subject and took him into custody.
The male subject was identified as James Chastain (61) of Hall County. Mr. Chastain was taken to Merrick Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries sustained during his travels in the cold winter night in Merrick County and was transported to Merrick County Corrections to be booked in on the following charges.

-Flight to Avoid Arrest
-Willful Reckless Driving
-Obstructing a Peace Officer
-Trespassing-1st Degree
-Driving Under Revocation 4th Offense
-Open Container
-Speeding
-Other Traffic Infractions
**James Chastain was just released from Hall County Corrections the same day less than five hours prior from fleeing from law enforcement during this incident after serving time for an unrelated crime of terroristic threats**