Wyoming man arrested following pursuit that went through Kimball County

A pursuit that started in Wyoming last Wednesday, Sept. 16, ended in Nebraska after troopers use stop sticks to disable the vehicle.

Just after 3 p.m., Nebraska law enforcement was alerted by the Wyoming Highway Patrol that they had discontinued a pursuit of a 2005 gray Explorer at the state line. 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 I-80 where the Kimball County Sheriff’s Office and the Kimball Police Department picked up the pursuit.

At approximately 3:20 p.m., 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. Just west of Sidney the vehicle went into the median, crossed the westbound lanes and ended up in the north ditch. 

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, identified as Joseph Mladenik, 40, Cheyenne, Wyo., exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.

Mladenik, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, was transported to a hospital in Sidney for observation. Once released, he was lodged in the Scottsbluff County Jail on charges to include felony flight to avoid arrest, fourth 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.