GIBBON, Neb. – The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of incidents near Gibbon on the evening of Tuesday, October 27. What started as a suspicious activity call turned into several vehicle thefts and property damage. Times are approximate.
8:07pm – A rural Gibbon citizen reported seeing a suspicious pickup with no license plates near a rural property in the 46000 block of 78th Rd. The citizen knew the property owner and observed an unknown white 2015 Chevrolet flatbed pickup, suspecting suspicious activity.
An unknown person was discovered and then soon departed the property heading northbound.
Authorities responded to the area when the suspect pickup was observed near 100th and Range Rd. A Buffalo County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to contact the driver when the suspect then turned off their headlights and showed no signs of slowing or stopping. Efforts to stop the driver were discontinued due to safety concerns.
8:49pm – The suspect pickup pulled into a rural yard at the 53000 block of 85th Rd. with a suspected intent to steal fuel. The suspect vehicle struck a piece of farm equipment and got stuck. The driver was confronted by the resident who fired several shots in the suspect’s vicinity, no damage or injury was reported. The suspect fled on foot from this area.
9:33pm – 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, authorities believe the suspect forcibly entered a garage and rummaged through a car.
9:47pm – The tractor was located abandoned and parked behind Sell Auto in Gibbon. It appeared to be damaged with portions of chain link fence attached to it. The fence was discovered to be from the Gibbon Waste Water Treatment Plant.
9:53pm – It was discovered that a 2007 GMC pickup owned by Sell Auto was missing from their lot and reported stolen. The whereabouts of that vehicle and the person that took it are unknown.
Further investigation showed the original Chevrolet flatbed left stuck was reported stolen on October 24 from Harrison County, Missouri. The suspect is unknown and described as a white adult male, average height/weight, with a dark coat/hoodie. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office.
