Driver arrested after early-morning chase; suspected of Oct. 1 pursuit

McCOOK, Neb. -- A man arrested in McCook early this morning is suspected of being the same man who escaped a chase and manhunt last month.

Police Chief Joel Smith said Javier Casarez, 24, McCook, was cited for numerous charges following a vehicle and foot chase this morning and is believed to be the same driver who escaped in a similar chase Oct. 1 which ended eight miles north of McCook.

According to a release, McCook police attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation at 4:36 a.m. at East 5th and D, but the vehicle fled.

Fortunately, there was light traffic on city streets at the time, and the chase continued to the 400 block of West L, where the vehicle, which had struck a parked vehicle and fence, was finally disabled, blown tires leaving only rims on two wheels.

After the short manhunt, the subject was located on foot, again fled from officers and was finally subdued with a taser.

Casarez was charged with Flight to Avoid Arrest, Speeding, Stop Sign Violations, Willful Reckless Driving, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing a Police Officer, 2 Counts of Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, No Insurance and No Valid Registration. Casarez also held a Felony Warrant for his Arrest for Failure to Appear in Court on a Motion to Revoke his probation.

In addition, Casarez, who was suspected of being the driver in a pursuit involving the McCook Police Department on Oct. 1, which ended approximately eight miles north of McCook when the vehicle crashed and the subject fled on foot but was not immediately located.

Casarez was charged with Flight to Avoid Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Obstruction of a Police Officer and Traffic Offenses in relation to that pursuit as well. Casarez was lodged in the Red Willow County Correctional Facility awaiting a review of bond.