BEATRICE - Gage County Sheriff’s Deputies and Beatrice Police combined efforts to arrest a man on weapon and theft violations, early Thursday morning.

Sheriff’s deputies had been sent to a Blue Springs residence investigating a report that a 27-year-old man from Beatrice was in possession of a firearm.

The man, identified as Patrick Wahlstrom, is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms or other weapons. Deputies were initially unable to locate him in Blue Springs but obtained a description of his vehicle and learned he might be with a relative or friend, in Beatrice.

At around 3:27 Thursday morning, a Beatrice Police officer spotted Wahlstrom’s vehicle in the eleven-hundred block of West Scott Street. Officers identified themselves and attempted to contact Wahlstrom near an apartment door on the south side of the building. They say the man ran from the scene but was caught following the foot pursuit.

Authorities say a handgun matching a description by witnesses who allegedly saw Wahlstrom possess the weapon, was located where police made initial contact. They also found the suspect’s keys next to the gun.

A police canine was brought to the scene and indicated the presence of drugs in the suspect’s vehicle. A search also turned up a machete, with a 20-inch blade. In the process of being booked at the county jail, authorities say Wahlstrom assaulted a corrections officer and a sheriff’s deputy.

Wahlstrom was arrested for possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, obstructing police, and theft by receiving stolen property.