A fugitive with a concealed firearm is behind bars in Box Butte County Friday.
According to a release from Alliance Police Chief David Leavitt, Earlier in the morning APD Sergeant LaDuke received a notification from the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office that Monty Shepard, a convicted felon, was enroute to Alliance to avoid apprehension for a felony warrant.
Intelligence gathered indicated that Mr. Shepard intended to travel to Scottsbluff Airport and leave the state to elude capture. Mr. Shepard has a lengthy criminal history including robbery and weapons charges and was considered armed and dangerous.
After receiving information that the suspect was on a Panhandle Trails bus, officers were able to make contact with the bus driver. A stop was planned for 3rd and Flack where officers intercepted the bus.
The driver and passengers were able to exit the bus safely, and at 11:05am the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Upon searching the suspect’s backpack, a loaded handgun was located.
Leavitt said thanks to excellent inter-agency coordination and a swift, efficient response another armed and dangerous felon is off the streets and no longer able to victimize our communities.
