Suspect in custody following manhunt in Merrick County

CHAPMAN, Neb. (KSNB) - The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office said a 34-year-old man from Hall County is now in their custody.

Merrick County Sheriff’s Office located Alexander Esquitin in the area of 4th and J Roads Monday morning.

Around 11:15 p.m. Sunday, law enforcement had responded to the 300 block Chapman Rd. to a report of a male subject attempting to make entry into an occupied residence.

Later law enforcement were attempting to locate the half-handcuffed suspect on 3rd Rd. between J St. and K St. in Chapman. They had been attempting to track him down after the suspect ran and assaulted an officer.

He was last seen attempting to break into a vehicle and fled into a nearby cornfield.

Merrick County Sheriff’s Office shared in a Facebook post, the public was advised to stay clear from the area, keep doors locked and report anything suspicious.

Merrick County Sheriff’s Office, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Nance County Sheriff’s Office and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office are all working together to track down Esquitin.

The person, who was first believed to be the suspect, 22-year-old Jayden Hays, is no longer a suspect at this time.