Wyoming man arrested following pursuit that ends near Sidney

A car pursuit that started in Wyoming – and included a short standoff with police – ended near Sidney on Wednesday after state troopers used stop sticks to disable the vehicle.

Nebraska law enforcement officials were alerted by the Wyoming Highway Patrol that they had discontinued a pursuit of a 2005 gray Ford Explorer at the state line at about 3 p.m. The driver of the vehicle, who was believed to be armed, was wanted on a warrant out of Laramie County for stalking.

The vehicle entered Nebraska eastbound on Interstate 80 where the Kimball County Sheriff’s Office and the Kimball Police Department picked up the pursuit.

At approximately 3:20 pm, three miles west of Potter, the Nebraska State Patrol took over the pursuit. Troopers successfully deployed two sets of stop sticks flattening tires on the vehicle. The vehicle went into the median on I-80 just west of Sidney, crossed the westbound lanes and ended up in the ditch on the north side of the interstate.

The driver failed to respond to commands to exit the vehicle. A portion of westbound I-80 near the vehicle was closed as troopers continued to try and contact the driver.

Approximately 45 minutes after the pursuit ended, the driver, who was identified as Joseph Mladenik, 40, Cheyenne, Wyo., exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.

Mladenik, who police said appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, was transported to Sidney Regional Medical Center for observation. After his release, he was taken to the Scottsbluff County Jail on charges of felony flight to avoid arrest, 4th offense DUI and carrying a concealed weapon.

The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office and the Sidney Police Department.