Teen caught after falling off stolen truck during getaway, Lincoln Police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Police have made an arrest in a string of truck thefts early Monday morning.

Around 5 a.m., a 45-year-old man woke up to the sound of his Chevy Silverado starting at his home near Southwest 9th Street and West Denton Road.

Police say the truck was then seen leaving his driveway.

The man got into another vehicle and began following the thief until he lost the truck around 32nd Street and Pine Lake Road.

Officers later saw the Silverado driving at a high speed behind another truck, a Ford F-150 that had been reported stolen in July, police say.

The man eventually returned to his home and called police after he saw the F-150 parked on the street.

A person was then seen running away from the truck, police say.

When officers arrived, they found a third stolen truck, a GMC Sierra, which was parked near the F-150.

Officers tried to speak with the driver of the Sierra, but it drove off.

Courtesy Lincoln Police

Jesse Mora-Tapia, 19, then ran out from a nearby yard and jumped into the back of the truck, police say.

But once the truck accelerated, Mora-Tapia fell off, and officers took him into custody.

Officers searched Mora-Tapia and found the keys to the stolen Silverado, according to police.

He was arrested on suspicion of theft by receiving, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer and criminal trespass.

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.

Police say all three stolen trucks had been left unlocked with the keys inside.