The Cheyenne Police Department has released information about a pursuit and arrest, during which two police vehicles caught fire.
The Cheyenne Police Department says Officers were dispatched to a report of a stolen vehicle near the 1000 block of West 5th Street on November 18, at approximately 1:25 p.m.
It was reported that a male; identified by police as Jason Nelson, 50, of Cheyenne; entered and stole a running and unattended Buick outside of a private residence.
“Responding officers used a cellphone left in the Buick and its OnStar security system to determine the vehicle’s location,” a Cheyenne PD statement said Thursday evening. “Around 1:45 p.m. officers located the Buick traveling northbound on Pinion Drive from East Lincolnway and initiated a pursuit.”
Officer report following the Buick south on College Drive toward Campstool Road.
“The vehicle entered the westbound College on-ramp to I-80 and the OnStar system remotely slowed the vehicle down,” Cheyenne PD says.
The Buick is said to have swerved off of the ramp and into a field. Nelson then allegedly exited the vehicle and fled from officers on foot.
“Heat from the vehicles ignited dry grass which caused two unoccupied patrol vehicles and the Buick to catch fire,” Police say. No injuries were reported.
At approximately 2:00 p.m. Nelson was located and taken into police custody.
He was booked into the Laramie County Jail on recommended felony charges of Motor Vehicle Theft and Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding.
“It only takes seconds for a thief to steal an unattended vehicle left running,” The Cheyenne Police Department reminds. “Keep vehicles locked to reduce theft and protect property.”
The case remains under investigation by the Cheyenne Police Department.
