Thieves steal three vehicles and $2,000 in Waverly, take a crack at ATM

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Authorities say two thieves went on a spree early Friday morning in Waverly.

First, two Ford pickup trucks were stolen from a home at the south end of the town, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.

One pickup was worth $140,000, and the other was valued at $35,000.

Then the thieves drove one of the pickups to First State Bank, where the sheriff’s office said they tried to steal the ATM from the lobby.

They couldn’t get the ATM out, but they caused $1,500 in damage, authorities said.

Items were also stolen from two vehicles within a block of where the Ford pickups were stolen.

The thieves got away with $2,000 in cash, 12 credit cards, five debit cards and some prescription drugs.

Finally, another Ford pickup worth $5,000 was stolen from a home in central Waverly.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said that all vehicles involved were unlocked and that the stolen pickups had keys inside.

“You got to lock your vehicles, you got to take your keys and you cannot leave valuables so somebody can see it easily,” he said. “We’re begging. ‘Cause we don’t need any more work.”

Investigators “strongly believe” that the same two people are behind all the crimes, Houchin said.

He said deputies have a lead and will recover some of the stolen property.

The sheriff’s office is investigating whether these cases are related to recent ATM thefts in Lincoln.

“The MO seems to be the same,” Houchin said.