Lincoln Police say a man used a machete to carjack a construction van Monday afternoon. LPD says just after 1:00 p.m. 28 year old Gilberto Antoni Portillo Barrientos of Lincoln stole the van from the two people who were in the drive-thru of D’Leon’s Restaurant near 21st and West O Street.
“He just approached them, told them to get out, produced a large machete style knife and said he needed the van,” Vollmer says. “They felt threatened, so they exited the vehicle. He got in and left.”
Vollmer says for about an hour they didn’t know where Barrientos was. A caller spotted the van driving near 27th and O Streets and the Nebraska State Patrol Air Wing helicopter was able to track his location. Troopers were able to put down stop sticks and the van was disabled.
Barrientos got out and ran but was taken into custody without incident in the 200 block of NW 22nd Street. He was arrested for robbery, use of weapon to commit a felony and possession of a controlled substance. Vollmer says Barrientos was found in possession of a suspected methamphetamine pipe with residue.
The machete was found inside the van.