(Lincoln, NE) -- Lincoln Police arrest a man after he reportedly tried to flee from officers and hit a cruiser.
Lincoln Police say around 8:30 Thursday morning, officers were called to the Super C near 33rd and Sheridan on the report of a gas drive off. The store employee told officers that a man with a long ponytail arrived in a white SUV displaying license plate WWF959 and left without paying for $78.15 in fuel. Officers were contacted by a member of the Fugitive Taskforce, who was conducting surveillance in the 200 block of S 28th and saw the described vehicle at a home with a person still in the vehicle. Investigators say the taskforce member further believed the White SUV was the 2019 Toyota Highlander reported stolen from the 6000 block of Mesaverde Drive of July 29th.
LPD says officers responded to the S 28th street residence, setting a perimeter around the area. Police say when taskforce members approached the vehicle to attempt contact, the occupant accelerated through the backyard of the home, crashed through the backyard wood privacy fence, and hit the police cruiser on the perimeter position in the alley. The officer was not seated in the cruiser at the time. The damage to the cruiser was later estimated at $5,000.
Investigators say after hitting the cruiser, the Toyota continued southbound in the alley. As the Toyota continued to flee, it hit another vehicle near 27th & J Street, where the driver fled on foot. Officers were able to apprehend 23 year old Gabriel G Olivas near 25th & H Street. Police say Olivas matched the description of the driver of the Toyota and was obviously out of breath. The white SUV was confirmed to be the stolen Highlander.
Olivas was lodged in jail and cited for Theft by Receiving $5,000 or more, Operate a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest, Obstructing a Police Officer, Criminal Mischief, Willful Reckless Driving, and DUI.