LINCOLN, Neb. — The Gage County Sheriff’s Office has completed an investigation into a series of vehicle thefts that occurred earlier this year in Wymore and Lincoln, Nebraska. Authorities have arrested Oskar Lundberg, 19, of Lincoln, and Lochlyn Hansen, 19, of Blue Springs, in connection with the crimes.
The investigation began on January 6, when deputies responded to reports of a stolen vehicle and an attempted theft in Wymore during the early morning hours. The stolen vehicle was later found near Lancaster County, outside Lincoln, but it had been crashed and totaled. No suspects were found at the scene.
On January 23, deputies assisted Wymore Police in recovering another vehicle that had been stolen from Lincoln the previous month. Investigators soon determined that these incidents were connected and part of a broader trend of vehicle thefts targeting Hyundai and Kia models. The crimes were allegedly fueled by a viral social media challenge on TikTok, which encouraged individuals to exploit vulnerabilities in certain vehicle models.
Lundberg has been charged with theft by unlawful taking of property valued over $5,000, attempted theft of property valued between $1,500 and $5,000, and criminal mischief. Hansen faces similar charges, including theft by unlawful taking, attempted theft, and theft by receiving stolen property valued over $5,000.
A minor was also cited for aiding and abetting in the crimes. The suspects remain under investigation as authorities work to uncover further details of the theft ring.
The Gage County Sheriff’s Office has urged residents to be vigilant in securing their vehicles, especially those with easily exploitable security features, and to report any suspicious activity immediately.