Teen caught after crashing stolen vehicle in southeast Lincoln, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A teenager driving a stolen vehicle caused a ruckus early Monday morning in a southeast Lincoln neighborhood, police say.

Around 3:50 a.m., officers were sent to a home near 51st and Calvert streets after a person called saying their Toyota Camry was being stolen.

The thief, a 16-year-old boy, took off with the Camry and crashed into two other vehicles that were in the same driveway, according to police.

Capt. Todd Kocian with the Lincoln Police Department said officers tried to pull over the Camry, but the teen led them on a chase.

Police followed the car to the parking lot of D’Leon’s at 48th and Van Dorn streets.

But the teen got out and ran off, police said.

Shortly after, officers caught up with the teen and took him into custody.

Jeremiah and Valan Dickinson own and use all three vehicles for their landscaping business, Rose Landscaping.

“As a small business owner, this is going to affect us obviously with the damage to our truck, and just having to worry about theft of tools on job sites now,” Jeremiah Dickinson said.

He said they have a camera above their garage pointing toward their driveway, but it didn’t catch the crime.

“Yeah, it does put a red flag up as far as safety of my wife and my family,” he said. “We’ve got cameras, but you know, you can only do so much.”

One neighbor, Joshua Harris, found blood on his car earlier that morning and reported it to police.

“It looks like he attempted to steal my car,” he said.

The Dickinsons’ stolen car was unlocked and had the keys sitting inside the cup holder.

Dickinson said he and his wife learned an important lesson.

“I’ve never witnessed anything like this in this area,” he said. “But you know, it’s a good reminder that you got to watch out, you got to keep yourself locked up.”

The 16-year-old is in custody at the Lancaster County Youth Detention Center and is facing several charges, including felony theft.