NORTH PLATTE, Neb.- A North Platte resident had one very rude awakening this morning. On August 27th at around 4AM officers from the North Platte Police Department arrived to the scene of a structure fire on West 3rd.
The fire wasn’t the only problem. Officers then learned that the neighbor to the fire, a 25 year old male had reported his black Mercury Cougar stolen. The vehicle was seen speeding down an alley way.
The stolen vehicle was found at the parking lot of the Pacific Place Apartments along with assorted tools at 500 N Pacific Ave.
A release from Public Information Officer Rodney Brown says the 57 year-old male victim of the garage (structure) fire identified the tool inside the stolen Cougar as his, while the Cougar belonged to the 25 year old neighbor. The tools were seized as evidence.
Hours later at around 10:15 AM officers from NPPD responded to the Pacific Place Apartments once more on the report of a disturbance. What are the chances of that?
Officers then learned that the suspect 31-year-old Jason D. Jones had tried to drive off in the Cougar that was stolen. Unfortunately for Jones the vehicle became inoperable after driving a few feet, so Jones got out and actually attempted to push the car back into the parking stall.
Witnesses detained the suspect and notified police.
After investigation it was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Jones for Burglary to the garage and motor vehicle theft. That’s not all..Jones also was allegedly in possession of a drug paraphernalia!
Jones was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center, where he was cited for Burglary, Theft by Unlawful Taking (of a motor vehicle), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, then booked him in the Lincoln County Detention Center.