Man accused of kidnapping five people in Nebraska Panhandle deemed mentally incompetent

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A western Nebraska man was found mentally incompetent to stand trial Friday on charges of kidnapping five people.

Garden County Judge Randin Roland ordered 71-year-old Carl Thomas of Morrill to receive treatment until his mental fitness is restored.

On Feb. 28, court documents say Thomas picked up two women and three children at a gas station in Big Springs.

He had offered to take them to the Walmart in Ogallala to buy car seats.

But the store was only 22 minutes away, and after 30 minutes, authorities said Thomas was still driving.

SEE ALSO: Affidavit: Scotts Bluff County man kidnapped two women, three children

When one of the children asked if they were still going to Walmart, Thomas ignored him, according to an arrest affidavit.

The Garden County Sheriff’s Office said Thomas then started showing everyone pictures of female genitalia.

He told them he was going to take them to his home to “clean and massage him,” the affidavit says.

One of the women tried to jump out of the car, but the sheriff’s office said Thomas was driving too fast.

Soon after, a deputy found the car and pulled Thomas over. The sheriff’s office had received multiple 911 calls.

Thomas faces 16 charges, including five counts of kidnapping and five counts of false imprisonment.

The judge ruled Friday that he should be held without bond.

He will remain at the Scotts Bluff County Jail until he can be taken to the Lincoln Regional Center, a state psychiatric hospital.

A hearing has been set for May 1 to determine whether Thomas is mentally competent yet.