Texas fugitive at the heart of arrest mix-up captured in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln woman who’s been on the run for over two years may be put before a Texas court soon.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office arrested 36-year-old Bethany J. Farber on Tuesday.

Sheriff Terry Wagner received an arrest warrant for Farber from the Gainesville Police Department in Texas. The warrant was issued on June 1, 2021.

Farber worked as a manager with Marcus Theatres in Lincoln leading up to her arrest, Wagner said.

Police accuse Farber of damaging two new vehicles at a dealership in Gainesville back in September 2020.

Farber was indicted by a grand jury for criminal mischief between $2,500 and $30,000.

Though criminal mischief charges are often misdemeanors, Farber’s charge is a felony in Texas because of the amount.

If found guilty, she faces two years behind bars and a fine up to $10,000.

Before Texas authorities declared Farber a fugitive, another woman by the same name was arrested in Los Angeles, NPR reported.

Bethany Farber, an aesthetician who’d never set foot in Texas, was headed to Mexico for a vacation in April 2021.

While awaiting a flight at the Los Angeles International Airport, Farber was arrested and held for 13 days before authorities recognized the mistake.

Farber later sued the Los Angeles Police Department for her wrongful detainment, alleging that the stress of the mix-up caused her grandmother to suffer a fatal stroke.

In Nebraska, Bethany J. Farber faces a fugitive from justice charge, which could allow authorities to bring her back to Texas.

A Lancaster County judge set her bail at 10% of $50,000 on Wednesday.

Farber is due back in court July 26, where she’ll have the opportunity to fight her extradition.