KEARNEY, Neb. — Felony arrest warrants have been issued for two men accused of stealing more than $11,000 worth of electronics from the Cabela’s store in Kearney earlier this month.
Kearney Police responded to the report of the theft on January 6 at approximately 2:30 p.m. Loss prevention staff at the store informed officers that two men had stolen high-end electronics. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle driven by a third person, heading east out of Kearney.
Using the city’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, Officer Braylen Luke identified the vehicle involved in the theft. Surveillance footage from Cabela’s, combined with the ALPR technology, helped investigators pinpoint the suspects.
On January 16, arrest warrants were issued for 31-year-old Reed Auten of Lincoln and 33-year-old Lynden Winfree of Omaha. Both men are facing felony charges of theft by shoplifting over $5,000. Investigators suspect the pair may also be responsible for similar thefts at other Cabela’s locations, including in La Vista, Council Bluffs, Altoona, St. Louis, and Kansas City.
“This case is a great example of how traditional policing methods combined with cutting-edge technology can help solve complex crimes and possibly uncover a wider crime ring operating across multiple states,” said Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh.
As of now, no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.