NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KMTV) — Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) troopers arrested two people and seized numerous controlled substances Tuesday evening after a pursuit in central Nebraska.
NSP received a report from a motorist around 7:20 p.m. that a Cadillac Escalade was driving dangerously on westbound I-80 near Odessa. A trooper located the vehicle as it exited I-80 at Elm Creek.
The Escalade reentered westbound I-80 and fled. The vehicle reached speeds of 114 mph.
During the pursuit, the Escalade used the shoulder to pass other vehicles, abruptly changed lanes and threw objects out of the vehicle.
NSP says spike strips were deployed successfully near Lexington and the vehicle came to a stop near the Cozad exit.
Jesus Garfio, the 27-year-old driver, and the passenger, 33-year-old Jenna Martinez, were taken into custody. Both Garfio and Martinez are from Denver.
The pursuit lasted about 20 minutes. Troopers found methamphetamine and more than $16,000 in the Escalade.
Garfio was in possession of heroin and suspected counterfeit Oxycodone pills. Martinez was in possession of heroin and marijuana.
A baggie of methamphetamine was recovered from the interstate, NSP says.
Both were arrested on multiple drug offenses, tampering with physical evidence, littering and possession of drug money.
Garfio was also arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and driving during revocation. Both were lodged in the Dawson County Jail.
The Cozad Police Department and the Dawson County Sheriff's Office helped with this case.
