Excitement and alarm struck the village of Sutherland Thursday when a Lincoln man fled from the Nebraska State Patrol and into the city limits.

According to a statement from the Nebraska State Patrol, a trooper initiated a traffic stop on a 2002 Saturn at around 4:00 p.m.

When the trooper approached the vehicle, the driver, 31-year-old Dustin Lankster, fled and a chase ensued.

Lankster drove into Sutherland, through a fence and eventually abandoned the vehicle in a parking lot before fleeing on foot.  The Patrol says 31-year-old April Crowley and a five-year-old child were found in the vehicle.

After and extensive search, Lankster was located in the backyard of a residence and taken into custody at around 5:45 p.m.

Lankster was transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center for observation, as authorities believe he was under the influence of drugs.  He will be jailed upon his release.

Crowley was arrested on active warrants out of Lancaster County.  She is being held at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services took custody of the child.

An emergency Code Red alert was issued for Sutherland residents, informing them of the situation, and asking them to stay inside and lock their doors.

Code Red is an emergency alert system used by law enforcement and other emergency personnel to alert the public of dangerous events.

To register for Code Red alerts, visit their website, https://cne.coderedweb.com/Default.aspx?groupid=Mjnq%2bprhykbTK3YynLrXHA%3d%3d.