Lincoln Crime Stoppers is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who stole an entire roll of lottery tickets from a north Lincoln gas station and a woman who is suspected of lighting a mattress on fire in someones backyard.
The first case occurred around 2 p.m. on September 24, 2024, at the Kwik Shop on 44th and Cornhusker Highway.
Video Forensics Technician for the Lincoln Police Department Becky Keller says while cashier stepped outside of the store for a smoke break, a man who was sitting at the game machines snuck behind the counter and took a roll of lottery tickets.
The man could then be seen on camera going back to the game machines and putting the lottery tickets into his backpack.
Keller says investigators noticed the suspect had what appeared to be a tattoo on his left forearm, and buzzed off the hair on the back of his head near his neck.
Pictures of the suspect are are available below.
The second case occurred around 3 p.m. on October 20, 2024, at a house near 42nd and Madison Avenue.
A friend was arriving at the house when he noticed smoke coming from the backyard of the residence. Turns out, a mattress in the backyard was found to be on fire.
The friend and neighbors were able to get the fire under control before it caused any major structural damage. The mattress, grass, and other nearby items did sustain some damage.
Keller says during the arson investigation, some fresh, presumably human fecal matter and two vapes were found on the property.
Nearby cameras captured a female in the victim’s backyard, walking away after the mattress was smoking.
Camera footage of the mattress burning and the suspect are available below.
If you have information on either of these cases, contact Lincoln Police at (402) 441-6000 to speak with an officer, or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers at (402) 475-3600. An anonymous tip can be left online through lincolncrimestoppers.com
Photo and video courtesy of Lincoln Crime Stoppers.