Woman injured after trying to thwart car theft attempt in Lincoln, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A man tried to steal a vehicle in a Lincoln neighborhood Thursday but crashed it into a tree instead, police say.

Around 9:30 p.m., a 33-year-old woman saw a man stumbling down the sidewalk near 15th and Garfield streets and stopped to see if he needed help.

She gave the man a ride to 18th and D streets, where he got out and fell to the ground, police said.

He quickly got back into the car when the woman checked on him.

Police said the woman clung to the car as the man tried to drive off.

Eventually, she got back into the car and started yelling at him to stop.  The man then crashed the vehicle into a tree near 19th and E streets, police said.

By the time officers arrived, the man had left the area.  The victim was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.

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