On Thursday, January 6th, a man called Lincoln Police to report that his Chevy Silverado had been stolen. It had been parked inside his garage in the 1700 block of North 80th Street. He told police he had left the garage door open overnight and the keys had been left inside the pickup.
At 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 9th, officers spotted that pickup parked but running in an alley near 10th and Park Street. 27 year old Gabriel Kuhfahl was seen in the driver’s seat. Officers approached the pickup and ordered Kuhfahl to get out but he took off at a high rate of speed. He struck a residence in the 2200 block of South 10th Street and then again took off. Damage to the residence is estimated at $3,000.
Officers then received information that indicated that Kuhfahl was involved in several other vehicle thefts within the city.
At 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, January 11th, Lincoln Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle near 10th and Park Street. They saw Kuhfahl walking with 32 year old Jordon Russell nearby. Both took off running when they saw the officers. When they caught up with the two, Kuhfahl struggled but he and Russell were taken into custody.
Keys to the Silverado and several other vehicle keys were found on Kuhfahl along with a tool used to bypass vehicle locks. Two additional stolen vehicles, a GMC Yukon and a Honda Accord were found parked in a lot near where Kuhfahl was seen walking.
Kuhfahl was booked for felony theft by receiving, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, leaving the scene of an accident, willful reckless driving, resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools, and on an outstanding warrant. Additional charges are expected for other vehicle thefts.
Russell was arrested for three outstanding warrants.