GIBBON, Neb. (BCSO)-The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is investigating a series of incidents near Gibbon NE on the evening of Tuesday, October 27, 2020. What started as a suspicious activity call turned into several vehicle thefts and property damage. Times are approximate.
8:07 PM - A rural Gibbon citizen reported seeing a suspicious pickup truck with no license plates parked near a rural property located at 46000 block of 78th Rd. The citizen knew the property owner, observed an unknown white 2015 Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck and suspected suspicious activity. An unknown person was discovered, who soon departed this property heading northbound in the pickup. The concerned citizen called the Sheriff's office and deputies responded to the area. Near 100th and Range Rd, the deputy observed the suspect pickup and pulled behind to contact it. Upon doing so, the suspect pickup turned off the headlights and showed no signs of slowing or stopping. The deputy discontinued efforts to stop the driver due to safety concerns but notified additional deputies who responded to the area. A short time later, deputies believe the pickup truck was observed from a distance within the city limits of Gibbon however were unable close on it.
8:49 PM - The suspect Chevrolet pickup pulled into a rural yard at the 53000 block of 85th Rd with a suspected intent to steal fuel. At some point the suspect pickup struck a piece of farm equipment, got stuck, and the driver was confronted by the resident. The resident fired several shots in the vicinity of the unknown suspect, but no damage or injury was reported. The suspect fled on foot in this area. With the assistance of Kearney Police, Shelton Police and NSP, deputies searched the area around the residence.
9:33 PM - A John Deere 8130 tractor and ripper attachment were reported stolen from a rural Shelton residence on the 8000 block of Sioux Rd. Prior to stealing the tractor, the suspect forcibly entered a garage and rummaged through a car.
9:4 7 PM - The tractor was located abandoned and parked behind Sell Auto at 614 Hwy 30 in Gibbon, NE. It appeared to have some exterior damage, and portions of a chain-link fence were observed attached to it. It was soon discovered the fence section was part of the Gibbon Waste Water Treatment Plant. It was also discovered that a small portion of the fence was damaged at the nearby Gibbon Packing facility.
9:53 PM - It was discovered that a 2007 GMC pickup truck owned by Sell Auto was missing from their lot, and reported stolen. The whereabouts of that vehicle, as well as the person taking it, are unknown.
Upon further investigation, the Chevrolet pickup left stuck at the rural residence near Gibbon was discovered to have been reported as stolen on October 24, 2020, from Harrison County MO. Buffalo County deputies were assisted by members of the Kearney Police Department, Shelton Police, and Nebraska State Patrol. The KPD K-9 unit responded as well as the BCSO drone. A geo-cast broadcast notification was sent to residents in the immediate area. The suspect is unknown and described as a white adult male, average height/weight, with a dark coat/hoodie. Anyone with any information concerning this case is encouraged to contact the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office at 308-236-8555 or Buffalo County Crime Stoppers at 308-237-3424.