WHP Photo
A South Dakota man is in custody after leading Wyoming law enforcement on a 70-mile-long pursuit in a stolen vehicle.
A Wyoming State Trooper initially stopped a 2005 Jeep Cherokee around 5:30 p.m. Monday for speeding. The stop occurred on Interstate 90 westbound at mile post 142 about 13 miles east of Gillette. Because the Jeep had no license plates, the Trooper checked the Vehicle Identification Number and found the Jeep had been stolen out of Rapid City, South Dakota earlier in the day.
The Trooper requested backup, and a Campbell County Deputy Sheriff arrived to assist with the occupant, identified in a press release as Nino Montreal. As the Trooper commanded Montreal to exit the Jeep, Montreal allegedly fled the scene in the Jeep on I-90 westbound at a high rate of speed.
An attempt was made to spike the Jeep’s tires at mile post 130, but Montreal was able to drive around the spikes.
The pursuit approached Gillette city limits, and all exits into Gillette were blocked off by the Gillette Police Department. A second attempt was made to spike the tires at mile post 125, and Montreal was able to avoid the spikes again.
The pursuit continued, reaching speeds of 110 miles per hour.
Additional WHP Troopers and Deputies with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office set up a third tire spike strip at mile post 73, and the attempt was successful. Montreal continued for about a mile before his tire separated from the rim and he pulled over.
Montreal was taken into custody without incident after he stopped.
Montreal was transported to the Campbell County Detention Center in Gillette and charged with possession of stolen property eluding, and speeding.