Warrant issued again for Omaha man in Storm Lake pursuit case

Adrian Zavala, a 35-year-old Omaha man, is wanted again in Buena Vista County after missing another court date in a Storm Lake pursuit case that has remained open for more than six years. The new warrant puts fresh pressure on a case that began with a high-speed chase, a disputed arrest and a string of missed appearances that have kept the file alive in Buena Vista County District Court.

The case stems from a May 14, 2020 pursuit near Flindt Drive and East Fourth Street in Storm Lake, where police alleged Zavala tried to elude officers while driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the affidavits described in the report, he was accused of driving up to 30 miles per hour over the limit, later registering a preliminary breath test of .154, driving while his license was revoked because of a prior OWI conviction and interfering with a police canine that was trying to apprehend him.

The original chase reportedly ran through Storm Lake and into Lakeside before ending when the suspect vehicle struck a mailbox in the 200 block of Birch Street. Zavala fled on foot and was captured after a short distance by a Storm Lake Police K-9 unit, then taken into custody by the Storm Lake Police Department and Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Department and placed into a patrol vehicle. Police also alleged he escaped from that vehicle while handcuffed before being caught again shortly afterward. He was charged with eluding, operating while intoxicated second offense, interference with a police service dog, driving while revoked and escape from custody.

Zavala pleaded not guilty in May 2020, but the case has repeatedly stalled on missed court dates. He failed to appear for a pretrial conference in February 2024, missed a hearing in November 2025 and did not show up for a June 1 plea hearing this year. A warrant was served Oct. 9, 2025, and he posted a $10,000 bond two days later, but after the latest no-show another warrant was requested June 4. Bond is now set at $50,000.

Priscilla Forsyth is representing Zavala, who is scheduled to appear in Buena Vista County District Court on July 13. For Buena Vista County residents, the case is a reminder that a single traffic stop can turn into years of court action when a defendant keeps missing required appearances and the system has to keep starting over.