HOLDREGE — A Holdrege man attempted to escape into the emergency room ceiling of Phelps Memorial Health Center after being arrested on multiple warrants during the morning of Sunday, Oct. 8.
At 11:22 a.m. the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office received the report of an abandoned Chevrolet S-10 with an attached trailer that had a blown tire in a rural area of the county.
When deputies arrived, the Chevrolet was occupied, and the subject initially provided law enforcement with false information regarding his identity and backup was requested.
Law enforcement found the pickup was stolen from Grand Island on Oct. 7.
The pickup was reported stolen by Auto Central employees in Grand Island. According to Grand Island Police Department, the suspect knew the victim, walked into the business and took the keys from the key box.
The male was identified as Matthew Buettner of Holdrege was arrested for Phelps, Adams counties and Colorado warrants.
Buettner was taken to Phelps Memorial for medical clearance. While in the emergency room he attempted to escape by crawling into the ceiling but was confined in the room.
The hospital was locked down and the situation lasted around two hours.
Holdrege Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol assisted with the call.
Buettner was being held in the Phelps County Jail for the additional felony charges of criminal impersonation, attempted escape and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and obstruction.
