Kearney Police Department (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — On Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at approximately 10:52 a.m., KPD Officers were dispatched to the 3700 blk of F Avenue on a report of a stolen vehicle. It was reported the vehicle was stolen overnight between Dec. 3 and Dec. 4.
At approximately 4 p.m., on Dec. 4, 2023 officers received an alert from the citywide Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader System that the stolen vehicle was eastbound on 11th Street.
Officers quickly located the vehicle in the 800 block of W 11th Street. The driver of the vehicle fled from the vehicle on foot in the 600 block of West 10th Drive. Uniform Patrol Officers established a perimeter where the subject was last seen.
A KPD Police Drone pilot and a KPD Police Service Dog responded to the scene. Police K-9 Murphy was utilized to track the suspect from the area.
At approximately 4:50 p.m. a 14-year-old male was found hiding in an unlocked residential shed and apprehended without incident.
A juvenile petition has been filed with multiple local charges including Obstruction, Trespassing, and Theft by Receiving Stolen Property over $5,000.
“Thanks to exceptional teamwork work from our Uniform Patrol Bureau, Special Services Unit K-9, Police Drone Team, and the responsible, professional use of technology, a stolen vehicle was recovered and a suspect arrested within five hours. I’m extremely proud of all the officers and K-9 involved. This is also a great reminder to secure your vehicles and remove your keys,” Chief Bryan D. Waugh said.