A husband and wife spends Valentine's Day behind bars, following their arrest in connection with a two state crime spree, including a Topeka homicide and the shooting of a Nebraska Deputy. 

33-year-old Michael Engstrom was allegedly involved in the shootings, happening in both states, Wednesday, with 35-year-old Ricky Mitchell left dead, and a 28-year-old woman injured in Topeka during the afternoon. 

The deputy was wounded in Nebraska following an early evening shootout that came after the Casey's General Store in Pawnee City, Nebraska was allegedly robbed at gunpoint. 

The robbery led to a pursuit when a Nebraska State Patrol Trooper spotted a white Ford Focus believed to be involved in the convenience store robbery. Assisted by the Johnson County, Nebraska Sheriff's Department, the vehicle was stopped, with the driver allegedly opening fire, leaving a deputy injured when a bullet grazed his thigh. 

Authorities returned fire as the car drove off.  

Later, the vehicle was spotted in Elk Creek by another Trooper who, giving chase, was allegedly shot at. Incurring a flat tire, the Trooper was forced to give up, leaving the Sheriff's Office to take the lead in the pursuit. 

That came to an end when the suspect vehicle became stuck in a field near Saint Mary, where shots were again exchanged, with the suspects ultimately surrendering. 

Inside the vehicle, along with the married couple and related evidence, was a 14-year-old girl who was taken into protective custody.  She's identified as the daughter of Engstrom's wife, Jaime. 

The Engstroms were booked into jail on numerous Johnson County charges, including attempted 2nd degree murder for him and aiding and abetting attempted 2nd degree murder for her. 

Bond is not yet set, with court appearances likely on Wednesday in Johnson County. 

Seperate bond is likely for as yet undetermined charges in Pawnee County, Nebraska, while charges are also faced in Shawnee County, Kansas, connected to the Topeka homicide. 

Below is a press release from Johnson County, NE Attorney Julie Smith which details the criminal acts in Nebraska: 

 A married couple is in custody this Valentine’s Day following a series of events allegedly occurring in Pawnee and Johnson Counties last night in Southeast Nebraska.

Michael Engstrom, age 33, and his wife, Jaime Engstrom also known as Jaime Russell, age 34, were arrested and booked into the Johnson County Jail yesterday following a pursuit by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. The couple is from Kansas.

Both listed their employment as “unemployed” when being booked in.

The pursuit began yesterday just after 7:30 P.M. after the Casey’s General Store in Pawnee City was allegedly robbed at gunpoint. A trooper spotted a white Ford Focus matching the description in Johnson County. The trooper, along with a Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy, stopped the white Ford Focus, and the driver allegedly opened fire on them. At that time, a bullet grazed the Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy’s thigh. Law enforcement officers returned fire, and the suspects’ vehicle drove off.

A second Nebraska State Trooper then spotted the vehicle near Elk Creek in Johnson County.

The suspect allegedly fired shots at that trooper as well. The trooper followed the Ford Focus to Highway 41 when the trooper’s cruiser became disabled with a flat tire. At that time, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office took the lead in the pursuit.

The pursuit neared its end when the suspects’ vehicle got stuck in a field near St. Mary in Johnson County. At that time, Mr. Engstrom allegedly fired upon the Johnson County Sheriff and one of his deputies. The deputy returned fire, and Mr. Engstrom surrendered. His wife was also taken into custody at that time.

A pistol was recovered from the Ford Focus. It was out of bullets in the magazine. Also seized were a black ski mask, black gloves, two pistol holders, and an additional magazine.

A large number of law enforcement officers as well as a helicopter from the Nebraska State Patrol were utilized to take the suspects into custody.

At the time of their arrest, law enforcement officers also discovered that the couple had a 14-year-old female in the vehicle with them. She has been taken into protective custody by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Neither the suspects nor the juvenile was harmed during apprehension. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy was treated and released.

At this time, no formal charges have been filed. Mr. Engstrom was booked into jail for the following Johnson County allegations

“attempted 2nd degree murder,” a Class II Felony;

“flight to avoid arrest,” a Class IV Felony;

“use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony,” a Class IC Felony; and

“child abuse,” a Class IIIA Felony;

His wife was booked in on the following Johnson County allegations

“aiding and abetting in attempted 2nd degree murder,” a Class II Felony;

“aiding and abetting in flight to avoid arrest,” a Class IV Felony; and

“child abuse,” a Class IIIA Felony

No bond has been set. According to Johnson County Attorney Julie D. Smith, the couple will likely go before a judge on Wednesday to have their bond set in Johnson County. They would have a separate bond set in Pawnee County for any charges they may face there in connection with the alleged robbery at Casey’s General Store. The investigation is ongoing. The booking information is merely an accusation, and all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.