The search is on for a man who fled on foot from a traffic stop on I-80 near the Lancaster-Cass line last Friday afternoon. LSO Chief Deputy Ben Houchin says the vehicle was stopped for an improper lane change around 12:30 p.m.
After placing 25-year-old Norberto Martinez of Omaha and his passenger in the cruiser, deputies began searching the trunk where 40 pounds of meth was discovered. “One was in the front seat of the cruiser and one was in the backseat,” Houchin says.
“When they opened the truck, the one in the front seat got out and opened the door for the one in the backseat, because it has the child locks, and off they went.” He says both men ran into the thick brush.
“It is no wooded and so tall and with Martinez we almost stepped on him before we knew he was there.” Houchin says two deputies fell down during the chase, which allowed the other suspect to get a good lead on them.