Nebraska State Troopers arrested three people and recovered multiple stolen firearms after pursuits with two stolen vehicles Saturday.
The incident began at around 12:15 p.m. when troopers learned that the Ogallala Police
Department was in pursuit of a Ford F-150 pickup that was stolen out of Wyoming. Ogallala PD
officers discontinued the pursuit as it traveled through Ogallala out of concern for public safety.
A trooper then observed the same vehicle as it exited Interstate 80 at the Brule interchange a
short time later. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield and fled
westbound on Highway 30. The trooper initiated a pursuit. After entering Deuel County, the
vehicle turned southbound and continued fleeing on county roads. The vehicle continued south
of I-80 before coming to a stop at a residence near County Road 209 and County Road 4. All
three occupants fled the vehicle on foot.
Two of the occupants then stole a Ford F-350 that was parked at the farm residence. Troopers
remained in pursuit of the second stolen vehicle, while others remained at the scene to search for
the third suspect. The suspects fled on various county roads in Deuel, Perkins, and Keith
Counties before the returning to I-80 and fleeing eastbound. As the vehicle passed the Ogallala
interchange, the Ogallala Police Department was able to successfully deploy stop sticks, which
brought to the vehicle to a stop a short time later.
The two occupants were taken into custody without further incident at approximately 1:00 p.m.
MT. The third suspect was taken into custody after a search of the location where the first
vehicle was abandoned. All three were transported to Keith County Jail. Troopers located stolen
firearms, stolen credits cards, and methamphetamine inside the first stolen vehicle.
All three suspects were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen firearms,
possession of methamphetamine, possession of a stolen financial transaction device, obstruction,
and criminal mischief. The driver, Michael Ayala, 20, was also arrested for flight to avoid arrest
and willful reckless driving. The two other occupants are both minors, age 18.
The investigation remains ongoing.
