O'Neill Man Arrested After Police Pursuit Of Stolen Vehicle

A police pursuit Thursday morning led to the arrest of an O'Neill man.

Kyle D. Shaffer, 25, who was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle, was pursued by law enforcement officers from four agencies -  the O’Neill Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Atkinson Police Department and Holt County Sheriff’s Office - during the 7 a.m. hour.

Shaffer was reportedly driving a red, 2002 Ford F-350 pickup, according to a press release from the O'Neill Police Department. The press release stated that the pickup was initially reported to the O’Neill Police Department by a citizen who saw the pickup in O’Neill and recognized it as possibly a stolen vehicle from Madison County, Nebraska.    

The pursuit originated at approximately 870th Road and Highway 281, south of O’Neill, Nebraska, after an O’Neill Police Department unit attempted to conduct a traffic stop with the Ford pickup. The pursuit proceeded west on 870th Road before turning north and crossing north over US Highway 20.  The pursuit continued to the area of Rock Falls and back to the south to US Highway 20.  

Stop sticks were deployed by the Holt County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol but were unsuccessful. The pursuit was terminated approximately two miles west of O’Neill on US Highway 20 and the pickup was located by law enforcement a short time later near the intersection of South 6th Street and Fulton Street in O’Neill.  

Shaffer was apprehended near South 6th Street and Hancock Street in O’Neill. He was taken into custody and transported to the Holt County Jail where he was incarcerated for Operation of a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest, Attempted Assault on an Officer, Willful Reckless Driving, Possession of Stolen Property and miscellaneous traffic infractions.