Lincoln Police have arrested a man in connection with the theft of a Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department van. Public Information Officer Erika Thomas says a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 truck was reported stolen from the parking lot at 31th and ‘O’ Street sometime over the weekend.
It was reported to be locked and the keys were not in the vehicle. “On Wednesday just before 1:30 a.m. Lincoln Police observed the stolen vehicle driving east on Cornhusker Highway near State Fair Park Drive,” Thomas says.
“Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop at a convenience store near 56th and Superior Streets. Both the driver and passenger were taken into custody without incident,” Thomas says. During a search of the stolen vehicle officers found a prescription pill container that did not belong to the passenger.
The driver, 35-year-old Dustin Petersen, was arrested and taken to the Lancaster County Jail and booked for theft by receiving and driving under suspension. The passenger, 32-year-old Kerin Norton, was arrested and taken to jail for possession of a controlled substance.