On 01/17/11 at 12:35pm, a Plymouth County Deputy Sheriff attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by Amber Schmitz, age 27, of South Sioux City, NE, west of Merrill on C-44.  An occupant of the vehicle, Christopher Alberto Velarde, age 26, of South Sioux City had outstanding warrants from Plymouth County for Conspiracy to Tamper with a Witness with a bond of $2,000.00, as well as a warrant for Rule to Show Cause for Interference with Official Acts, Willful Injury and Criminal Mischief with a bond of $18,000.00.

The vehicle failed to pull over for the deputy who had his lights and siren activated as it continued into Merrill. The vehicle drove through several streets in Merrill before heading westbound on C-44 out of Merrill with the deputy in pursuit. The vehicle then pulled into a farm residence one mile west of Merrill, at which time Velarde bailed from the vehicle. The deputy subdued Velarde and he was placed under arrest for the Plymouth County warrants.

The driver of the vehicle, Amber Schmitz, was arrested for Eluding a Law Enforcement Vehicle, a serious misdemeanor, and Child Endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor, after it was found that Schmitz had her 5 year old daughter in the vehicle with her during the pursuit. Both Velarde and Schmitz were transported to the Plymouth County Jail.