By Allison Peck
Lincoln County deputies recovered a stolen feed truck and arrested one suspect following an investigation that began south of North Platte earlier this week.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched on Jan. 27 to a feedlot southeast of North Platte after a feed truck was reported stolen. Upon arrival, deputies confirmed that a 2012 Kenworth feed truck and attached feeder, valued at approximately $165,000, were missing from the property.
With no immediate suspects, deputies collected evidence from the scene and searched the surrounding area. During the investigation, deputies located a disabled vehicle parked along Interstate 80 near the feedlot. After comparing evidence from the theft scene with items visible inside the disabled vehicle, investigators determined the suspects likely arrived in that vehicle.
Investigators later made contact with the owner of the disabled vehicle, who agreed to meet with deputies in Lexington. The Dawson County Sheriff's Office assisted in contacting the individual. The stolen feed truck was subsequently located and recovered in Dawson County.
The owner of the disabled vehicle was identified as Stanley Russell, 54, of Longmont, Colorado. Russell was transported to North Platte and arrested on local theft charges. He was also found to have an active parole warrant out of Colorado and was booked into custody.
Investigators later determined a second suspect was involved in the theft. That individual was identified as Jeremy Best, 46, also of Colorado. Best was located in Kearney by the Kearney Police Department and will be returned to Lincoln County at the earliest opportunity to face theft charges.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office credited the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office and Kearney Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.