Dec 02, 2021

Pursuit into Chadron by Oglala Sioux Tribe police ends in 2 arrests

Posted Dec 02, 2021 12:59 AM

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle Post

Two people have been arrested in Chadron after a high-speed pursuit from the Pine Ridge Reservation. 

On Nov. 30 at 1:42 p.m. the Dawes County Communication Center received a call from the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety (OST) advising they had an officer in pursuit of a gray colored Chevrolet pickup. 

The man inside the gray Chevrolet pickup was suspected of being involved in a shooting days prior in South Dakota.

"Information was also obtained [indicating] the suspect may be armed with a shotgun and the vehicle he was in may be stolen," Chadron Police Chief Rick Hickstein said. "The dispatch center monitored the pursuit via radio, 911 calls and communication from OST Department of Public Safety. Local law enforcement was notified of the situation and set up on the east side of Chadron to assess what was happening and provide assistance."

 Chadron police officers observed the suspect's vehicle and the OST officer entered into Chadron on Highway 20.

"The suspect vehicle was able to get out of sight of the officers and no pursuit was initiated by the Chadron Police Department due to the circumstances," Hickstein said. "A search for the gray Chevrolet was initiated. While searching, a citizen called into the dispatch center advising a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle, had parked in their driveway on the 200 block of Cedar Street."

A Native American man and woman inside the pickup then got out and ran.

Officers arrived at the scene and set up a perimeter.

Chadron Public Schools and Chadron State College were notified of the situation and possible threat. They went into about an hour long lock-out. 

 "A short while later, two suspects were located on the 100 block of Main Street matching the description of the suspects who had left the gray Chevrolet pickup," Hickstein said. 

The Nebraska State Patrol placed one man into custody. 

Hickstein said authorities are still investigating the man's identity because a false name was given. 

21-year-old Candace Lessert was placed into custody for possession of methamphetamine. 

The Chadron Police Department was assisted by the Dawes County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol with this investigation.