Man accused of igniting hay bales, burglarizing northeast Nebraska golf course

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A man was arrested Thursday in a string of arsons and burglaries in northeast Nebraska, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office says.

Over the last three weeks, deputies from Madison and Stanton counties responded to multiple hay bale fires, which appeared to have been intentionally set.

During that time frame, Madison County deputies also investigated a burglary at the Fairplay Golf Course, which is south of Norfolk.

On Monday, deputies responded to a fire at a building near the golf course.  Investigators found that the building had been burglarized before being set on fire.

At around the same time, a hay bale fire was reported about 2 miles south of the structure fire.

The sheriff’s office said deputies discovered evidence that suggested the burglaries and fires were all connected.

Early Thursday morning, a deputy saw 34-year-old Derrek Brugman at the golf course and took him into custody.

Investigators found that Brugman was in possession of stolen property from both burglaries.

He was arrested on suspicion of several charges, including burglary and arson.