Multiple Offenses Lead to Arrest

DATE & TIME: 07-31-2018 @ 1:00 pm

LOCATION: 400 block of South “A” Street, Blue Springs     

OFFENSE: Assault on an Officer (felony)

                Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony (felony)

                Tampering with Physical Evidence (felony)

                Resisting Arrest (felony)                                      

                Obstructing a Peace Officer (misdemeanor)

CASE #: 2018-3903

On Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at approximately 12:28 pm, a Gage County Sheriff’s Office deputy made a traffic stop on a vehicle in Blue Springs, Nebraska for fictitious license plates. The sheriff’s office had received several complaints of the vehicle having fictitious license plates and the deputy observed the vehicle driving around Blue Springs. When the deputy caught up to the vehicle, it pulled into the driveway in the 400 block of South “A” Street in Blue Springs and he activated his emergency lights and pulled in behind the vehicle.

When the occupants exited the vehicle, several persons came out from the residence, including 59-year-old Steven Lee Hurley and began yelling at the deputy. Hurley came toward the deputy carrying a crow bar and the deputy radioed for assistance. Hurley eventually put the crowbar down before an investigator and another deputy arrived on the scene a few minutes later.

Several males at the residence, including Hurley began arguing with the deputies about the traffic stop.  Hurley and the other males were told to step away from the traffic stop several times. When the traffic stop, which resulted in a citation, was nearing an end, the female driver was told the license plates would have to be taken as evidence, at which point Steven Hurley became aggressive, yelling at the deputies and stating they were not going to take his license plates. He was told several times to move away from the traffic stop or he would be arrested for obstructing a peace officer.

Steven Hurley then went to the front of the vehicle and removed the front license plate from the vehicle and walked into the residence, followed by another deputy telling him to stop and that he was under arrest for obstructing a peace officer. Hurley went in the front door of the residence and came back out immediately, carrying an aluminum baseball bat, walking toward the deputies, and holding the bat in a “batting stance”, i.e. ready to swing the bat.

The deputy, facing a deadly force situation, drew his service weapon and advised Steven Hurley to drop the baseball bat. Another male jumped between the deputy and Steven Hurley and at this point, the bat was taken from Hurley by the relative. The deputy holstered his weapon, went to place Steven Hurley under arrest, but at that point Hurley grabbed the deputy and began wrestling with him. The investigator attempted to assist the deputy with the arrest, but was tackled by another male and then was assaulted by a third male. 

The investigator was able to break free and after about a minute and a half of Steven Hurley fighting with the deputies and actively resisting being placed in handcuffs, he was handcuffed and taken from the yard to a patrol car. He was then transported to the Gage County Detention Center where he was booked for Assault on an Officer, Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Resisting Arrest (all felony charges), and Obstructing a Peace Officer, a misdemeanor.

The license plates were turned over to the deputies at the scene by the female driver, who had been released after signing the citation.

Two deputies received minor injuries from the assault and medical treatment may be necessary to treat their injuries.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Deputy J. Chavez #9036

Investigator T. Hanson #90310

Lieutenant A. Shepardson #9038