Gering Man Arrested After Dramatic Pursuit

(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.) — A Gering man was arrested Saturday night after authorities said he fled from officers during two separate vehicle pursuits before attempting to escape on foot.

At approximately 8:32 p.m. on Aug. 1, Scottsbluff Police officers responded to a report of a suspicious man who was allegedly under the influence and trespassing at a residence in the 3200 block of Fifth Avenue.

Officers located the suspect vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver fled. Police did not initiate a pursuit at that time because of heavy traffic in the area. Authorities said the seriousness of the suspected offenses did not outweigh the potential risk to public safety.

At approximately 9:31 p.m., the Gering Police Department located the vehicle, and a second pursuit began. The pursuit entered Scottsbluff, where Scottsbluff Police officers assumed primary responsibility.

During the pursuit, officers successfully deployed spike strips, disabling one of the vehicle’s tires. Despite the damaged tire, the driver continued fleeing until the vehicle became stuck in a ditch near the Maverik gas station along Highway 26.

The driver then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended following a brief foot pursuit involving officers from the Scottsbluff and Gering police departments.

The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Harley Kingma of Gering. He was booked into the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center on charges including felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstruction, resisting arrest and multiple traffic-related offenses.

The Scottsbluff Police Department thanked the Gering Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol and Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.