High speed chase leads to field fire

Creston Fire was dispatched to the report of a field fire 12:19 a.m. Sunday near 205th Street in rural Union County. Union County Sheriff Mark Shepherd said a suspect has been identified and charges are pending after a deputy was led on a high speed chase.

According to a Union County Sheriff’s report, a deputy was performing extra patrol 10:32 p.m. Feb. 19 at a location on East Lucas Street, where on-going burglaries have taken place. The deputy noticed a white SUV suspiciously in the area. As the deputy approached the SUV, it began driving recklessly. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but a chase ensued on South Cherry Street Road.

The chase continued southbound on the gravel at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The pursuit was then terminated by a supervisor at 205th Street.

Just after midnight, Creston Fire was dispatched to a field fire near 205th Street, approximately a half mile from South Cherry Street Road. Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson said the fire, which was less than 80 acres, started in a picked cornfield, where the SUV from the pursuit was fully engulfed in flames. Shepherd said the field fire was approximately 15 acres.

The vehicle has yet to be positively identified due to the amount of damage, but believed to have been stolen in Nebraska.