Pioneer Editor



The driver of a stolen 2005 Jeep Cherokee remained in custody Tuesday, after leading troopers on a high speed chase, reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour while on the interstate last Friday evening.

The driver, identified as 18 year-old Jacob Bothun, from Eyota, Minn., failed to stop when the troopers attempted to pull him over.

Lyman Police Officer Mitch Hale was dispatched to assist Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers with the pursuit. Bothun left I-80 and headed south on Hwy 413 into Lyman from Exit 41 of I-80.Officers had discussed utilization of a spike strip if there was enough time to get a strip put on the highway. Hale had driven out on Cemetery Road to determine if there was enough time. From his observation point on Cemetery Road, Hale estimated the black Jeep’s speed was between 80-90 miles per hour as the Jeep raced towards Lyman.

Bothun lost control of the Jeep while attempting to make the curve in the road at the junction of WYO 413 and US 30 in Lyman. When the vehicle left the roadway it vaulted over an irrigation canal, struck a pine tree and came to rest in the parking area of the closed Tri-Mart store.

Bothun bolted from the vehicle and tried to elude the pursuing officers on foot. Hale saw Bothun running between the Tri-Mart building and a grey shed so he turned his vehicle onto Bradshaw Street as he knew an empty lot was between Bothun and the other buildings. As Hale drove up Bradshaw Street, he located Bothun running between the Tri-Mart building and a blue and white steel garage. Hale stopped his patrol car and exited it.

As Bothun ran towards Hale, Hale drew his gun and pointed it at Bothum. He also ordered Bothun to show his hands. Bothun stopped running and began walking. He held his hands up in the air, and then got on the ground as he was ordered to by Hale. Bothun laid face down on the ground and placed his hands behind his back. Hale ordered Bothun to place his hands out to his sides, palms up. Lyman Chief Tom Clark said it should be noted Bothun showed no signs of an injury at this time.

Troopers Dave Homer and Matt Arnell emerged running from some trees from the direction Bothun had come. All three officers drew closer to Bothun.

Arnell and Homer cuffed Bothun and frisked him for weapons. Bothun stated he did not have drugs on him nor any weapons. Arnell and Homer helped Bothun stand up while Hale requested an ambulance from dispatch and advised that Bothun was in custody.

When sheriff’s deputy Travis Gregory and trooper Mike Adams arrived on the scene, Gregory said that he had located a small black plastic cap gun on the sidewalk of Business Loop 80. Hale took the cap gun into evidence in case it was needed at a later date.

The Jeep, entered in the National Crime Information Center database, had been reported stolen in Bakersfield, Calif., on the same day as the Wyoming chase. It was considered to be a total loss.

Bothun boasted to the troopers that he had stolen two other vehicles in the state of Minnesota. He has been charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, property destruction and possession of a user amount of marijuana.

At the time of the press release, it was not clear if Bohun would faces charges from California law enforcement authorities in reference to the stolen Jeep. (Information received from Lyman Chief of Police Tom Clark and a Wyoming Highway Patrol press release.)



For the complete article see the 07-23-2010 issue.

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