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Madison County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Suspect Following High-Speed Pursuit

MADISON COUNTY, Neb. – On November 2, 2026, Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a man following a high-speed pursuit that began after a reported gasoline theft and continued off-road into Antelope County.

In recent days, Madison County deputies had been investigating multiple thefts in the area and had developed a possible suspect and associated vehicle. Through collaboration with surrounding law enforcement agencies, investigators determined that the same individual was suspected of involvement in similar thefts in neighboring counties. Multiple arrest warrants were in the process of being issued and signed by a judge.

On the morning of November 2, a Madison County resident reported the theft of gasoline from their property near Highway 81 and 835 Road. The victim observed the suspect and vehicle leaving the property and followed while remaining in contact with 911 dispatch.

Madison County deputies intercepted the reporting party and the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on 833rd Road, northwest of Madison, Nebraska. The driver refused to stop and fled, initiating a pursuit during which speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour at times.

The pursuit continued from Madison County into Antelope County, with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol, Battle Creek Police Department, and Madison Police Department.

As the pursuit continued onto a minimum-maintenance road, speeds decreased. The suspect vehicle became temporarily stuck before reversing direction and intentionally striking a Madison County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. The driver then left the roadway and continued fleeing through farm fields.

Additional law enforcement officers responded and worked to contain the suspect vehicle within the fields. A pursuit intervention technique was subsequently used to bring the vehicle to a stop. The driver surrendered without further incident.

Zach L. Heying, 30, of rural Petersburg, Nebraska, was taken into custody and is expected to face multiple charges related to the theft investigations, the pursuit, and the collision involving the patrol vehicle.

There is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the assistance and cooperation of the Nebraska State Patrol, Battle Creek Police Department, and Madison Police Department in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is also advising agricultural landowners, with pivots, in Madison and surrounding Counties to check their pivot wires to make sure they are not damaged. If you find any missing or damaged pivots, call the appropriate authorities.

Sheriff Todd Volk

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Madison County Sheriff’s Office Apprehends Escaped Juvenile from Detention Transport

Madison County, NE – On December 8, 2025, at approximately 7:25 p.m., a male juvenile taken into custody on a probation detainer was being transported to the Northeast Nebraska Juvenile Detention Center in Madison, Nebraska. As the transporting officer escorted the juvenile toward the facility, the individual slipped one of his handcuffs and fled on foot.

A perimeter was immediately established with assistance from the Norfolk Police Department, Madison Police Department, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Madison County deployed its unmanned aerial drone equipped with thermal imaging technology, which quickly proved instrumental in the search. The drone detected a heat signature consistent with a person hiding in a field northwest of the escape point.

Officers  moved in on the location and successfully apprehended the juvenile without further incident. He was subsequently returned to the Northeast Nebraska Juvenile Detention Center.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that drone technology has become an increasingly valuable tool in law-enforcement operations. The use of aerial thermal imaging enhances situational awareness, reduces search times, and increases safety for both officers and the public during incidents such as suspect searches, disaster response, and missing-person cases.

Captain James Vrbsky

Madison County Sheriffs Office