Firearms, drugs found in Illinois man's vehicle near Pawnee City

An Illinois man was arrested near Pawnee City after a pursuit along with firearms and drugs being found in his vehicle.

March 7, 2023Updated: March 7, 2023
News Channel NebraskaBy News Channel Nebraska

PAWNEE CITY, Neb. -- An Illinois man was arrested near Pawnee City after a pursuit along with firearms and drugs being found in his vehicle.

The Nebraska State Patrol said a trooper tried to do a traffic stop on a Dodge Magnum that was reportedly speeding on Highway 8, near Pawnee City, at 10:35 a.m. on Monday.

Officials said the driver didn't stop and went into a rural driveway before jumping out of the moving vehicle. The driver reportedly fled on foot and the trooper followed, starting a foot pursuit.

According to authorities, the trooper was able to take the driver into custody after a pursuit around a farm property. They looked through the driver's vehicle and reportedly found four firearms, including a short barrel rifle, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, 32 grams of cocaine, 144 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and 214 grams of marijuana.

NSP said the driver was 40-year-old Jesse Starry, of Illinois. He was lodged in the Johnson County Jail and arrested for possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a short barrel rifle, carrying a concealed firearm, and other charges.

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