Insurance building damaged in high speed chase

DATE & TIME: 02-28-17 2049 hours.       

LOCATION:  Casey’s General Store 806 W Court / Beatrice Insurance Agency, 800 Court St., Beatrice 

OFFENSE:  Fleeing to Avoid Arrest; Willful Reckless Driving; Violating a Traffic Control Signal; Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident; Driving While Suspended or Revoked.     

CASE #: 2017-1122               

On 02-28-17 at approximately 2049 hours, Deputies of the Gage County Sheriff’s Office were in the area of the 200 block of Abbott St. in Beatrice attempting locate Brandon Kopf, who has an active felony warrant out of Lancaster County. While in this area a Deputy observed a vehicle, matching the description of the vehicle Kopf was believed to be driving, traveling eastbound on Garden St. A Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle as it pulled into the parking area of Casey’s General Store, located at 806 W Court St. As the Deputy attempted to contact the vehicle, it rapidly accelerated and exited the parking area and began to travel eastbound on Court St. at a high rate of speed. As the vehicle was leaving the parking area, a second Deputy confirmed that the driver of the vehicle was Brandon Kopf.

Deputies pursued the vehicle as it traveled eastbound on Court St. The Deputies lost sight of Mr. Kopf’s vehicle as it turned northbound, off of Court St, at 8^th St.  A short time later, it was discovered that Kopf’s vehicle had collided with a fire hydrant and then a building located at 800 Court St.

A records check indicated that Mr. Kopf’s driver’s license is suspended.

This investigation is ongoing. The Gage County Sheriff’s Office will be submitting an affidavit for an arrest warrant For Mr. Kopf.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson

Deputy John Patsch 9033