Crash, Foot Pursuit for Merrick County Duo

(MERRICK COUNTY, Neb.) — Two suspects were arrested after a vehicle believed to have fled from Grand Island police crashed during a pursuit in rural Merrick County Sunday night, leading to a multi-agency search.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on September 27, a Merrick County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a vehicle believed to have been involved in an incident with the Grand Island Police Department the previous evening.

When the deputy attempted to approach the vehicle and identify its occupants, the vehicle reportedly accelerated rapidly, leading to a pursuit east of Central City.

The vehicle traveled east on a rural county road before failing to negotiate a left-hand turn. It left the roadway, entered a ditch and rolled.

When the deputy arrived at the crash scene and began issuing commands, the vehicle’s door opened and the occupants fled on foot.

Merrick County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Vedo was deployed and quickly located a female suspect hiding behind a garage.

📸 Merrick County Sheriff

The woman was identified as Karisa L. Roush, 37, of Merrick County. Roush was taken into custody and transported to a medical facility for evaluation before being booked into jail.

Roush faces charges of:

• Distribution of a Controlled Substance — Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance — Felony
• Possession of Money Used to Facilitate a Violation — Felony
• Obstruction of Government Operations — Misdemeanor
• Possession of Controlled Substance Without Tax Paid — Misdemeanor
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia — Infraction

The second suspect, identified as Edwin J. Chamul, 41, fled into a nearby cornfield, prompting a larger law enforcement response.

Multiple agencies with the Central Nebraska Special Response Team (CNSRT), along with the Central City Police Department, responded to assist.

Authorities established a perimeter around the area and conducted coordinated searches using law enforcement K-9 teams and drone technology. Additional resources, including a light armored vehicle, were also brought in as officers worked to locate the suspect.

After several hours of searching, Chamul was located in a weeded area near the cornfield, where authorities say he was attempting to conceal himself.

He was taken into custody and transported to a medical facility for evaluation before being booked into jail.

Chamul faces the following charges:

• Distribution of a Controlled Substance — Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance — Felony
• Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest — Felony
• Possession of Money Used to Facilitate a Violation — Felony
• Obstruction of Government Operations — Misdemeanor
• Possession of Controlled Substance Without Tax Paid — Misdemeanor
• Willful Reckless Driving — Misdemeanor
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia — Infraction
• Three Traffic Infractions