SIDNEY, Neb. — An intense high-speed chase through western Nebraska ended in a fiery arrest early Thursday morning when a fleeing car burst into flames, igniting live ammunition inside and spreading fire to a nearby field, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Around 1:05 a.m., troopers tried to stop a silver car in Sidney, but the driver, later identified as 32-year-old John Harmon, sped east on Interstate 80, reaching speeds up to 130 mph. After a turnaround on the median, Harmon re-entered Sidney, with troopers attempting to stop the car by deploying stop sticks. The chase concluded when troopers performed a tactical vehicle intervention, forcing the car into a ditch, where all three occupants were taken into custody.
Shortly after the stop, the vehicle began to smoke and then caught fire, causing live ammunition inside to ignite and sending bullets popping as the flames spread to a nearby field near a Walmart. Sidney police and firefighters quickly responded and extinguished the blaze.
The three suspects, all from Sterling, Colorado, face multiple charges. Harmon was charged with flight to avoid arrest and possession of a weapon during a felony. Passenger Kyrie Riggle, 38, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Dakota Schrecengost, 22, was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and had an outstanding warrant.