Lancaster Lookout: County needs help catching its 10 most wanted criminals

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lancaster County Sheriff’s office is promoting its most wanted list so the public can help find and capture criminals.

The 10 people on the Lancaster Lookout list are facing charges of anything from sexual assault to terroristic threats, or even financial crimes like fraud.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said anyone who’s had warrants in the past is more likely to end up on the list, especially if they’re a violent offender.

“If they’re a frequent flyer with us, with the warrants, that’s probably a quick way to get on that list,” he said.

To catch them, the sheriff’s office oversees the fugitive task force, which includes members of the Lincoln Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service.

“Our task force has done a great job, and I think that’s one of the reasons the crime rate in Lincoln has gone down, because these guys are actively pursuing these individuals with these violent warrants,” Houchin said. “Either they go to jail, they hide and don’t commit any more crimes, or they leave our jurisdiction knowing that we’re really hot after them.”

Houchin said the task force usually arrests two to three people on the list every week, and when they do the list is updated.

He said if there’s ever someone particularly hard to find, the task force is prepared to go outside the county or even the state to hunt them down.

“They will go through up to Omaha, they went out to Scottsbluff to arrest a murder suspect,” Houchin said. “They are deputized by the U.S. Marshals so that they have jurisdiction anywhere and everywhere.”

Houchin also said the tactical response unit is ready for a standoff if someone isn’t cooperating.

If you think you recognize anyone on the list, there are several ways to contact authorities.

You can call 402-2441-7350 or email lsofugitive@lancaster.ne.gov.

Information can also be passed along through the Lincoln Crime Stoppers’ website.

And if you ever come across one of the criminals, the sheriff’s office said you should never try to apprehend them on your own. Instead, call the authorities.