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Gretna Today
By the People, for the People
Man Arrested After Multi-County Aerial Pursuit in Nebraska
The chase spanned over an hour and multiple counties before deputies used stop sticks to end it.
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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A 42-year-old man from Memphis, Tennessee was arrested after leading Nebraska State Patrol on a multi-county pursuit that lasted over an hour on Saturday evening. The chase began with a traffic stop near Gretna and involved air support from the Omaha Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol before deputies were able to deploy stop sticks to bring the vehicle to a stop in Lancaster County.
Why it matters
High-speed pursuits pose significant risks to public safety, which is why law enforcement agencies have strict protocols around when to initiate and continue chases. This incident highlights the coordination required between different law enforcement agencies to safely end a prolonged pursuit across multiple jurisdictions.
The details
The pursuit began around 6:55 pm on Saturday when a Nebraska State Patrol trooper attempted to pull over a Ford Fusion near Gretna for running a stop sign. The driver refused to yield and fled northbound on Highway 6 through Gretna, prompting the trooper to start a pursuit. The Omaha Police Department's helicopter unit took over tracking the vehicle from the air as ground units discontinued the chase. The pursuit continued for over an hour through Saunders County and into Lancaster County, with the Nebraska State Patrol AirWing eventually taking over aerial tracking. Lancaster County deputies were finally able to deploy stop sticks, bringing the vehicle to a stop on Highway 79 north of Highway 34. The driver, identified as 42-year-old Juan Avant of Memphis, Tennessee, was taken into custody without further incident.
- The pursuit began around 6:55 pm on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
- The chase lasted for over an hour, spanning multiple counties.
The players
Juan Avant
A 42-year-old man from Memphis, Tennessee who was arrested after leading police on a multi-county pursuit.
Nebraska State Patrol
The law enforcement agency that initiated the traffic stop and pursuit.
Omaha Police Department
Provided air support by tracking the vehicle with their helicopter unit during the chase.
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
Deployed stop sticks to bring the vehicle to a stop in Lancaster County.
What’s next
Juan Avant is expected to face charges including flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the importance of coordination between law enforcement agencies when dealing with high-speed pursuits that cross multiple jurisdictions. The use of air support and stop sticks allowed authorities to safely end this prolonged chase and apprehend the suspect without any reported injuries or further property damage.
