15-year-old arrested in rash of thefts, assaults in Lincoln neighborhood, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Police are investigating a string of car thefts and assaults that took place Wednesday night.

The first theft was reported at a home near Ninth and A Streets around 5:50 p.m.

Police said a man was washing his vehicle when a group of males approached him and ran off with his car keys.

About five hours later near 16th and D Streets, a man was assaulted by a group of strangers, who also took the keys to his pickup truck.

Later that night, the assailants returned and drove off with the man’s pickup, according to police.

Around 11:20 p.m., a 36-year-old man was outside a home near 16th and D Streets when he was assaulted by an unknown male.

Police said the attacker stole the victim’s phone before driving off in his vehicle.

Just after midnight, officers were called to the area of First and N Streets on a report of a disturbance.

When officers arrived, they found a 15-year-old boy inside one of the stolen vehicles, according to police.

He was taken into custody and cited on suspicion of theft by receiving stolen property.

Investigators are still searching for the other stolen car, and anyone with information is asked to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.