Two stolen vehicles recovered in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A Lincoln man was arrested for burglary and having a gun.

The Lincoln Police Department were dispatched to 7600 Old Post Road for a reported burglary when an employee at Wellington Greens Homeowners Association saw one of their shop doors open on July 19. A red 2006 Chevy Silverado and multiple landscaping tools were reportedly missing, an estimated total loss of $16,800.

According to officers, police were dispatched to the Indian Hills Church, 1000 South 84th Street for a reported burglary at 7:00 a.m. on July 31. It was reported to police that a white 2010 Ford E350 van and several tools were stolen, an estimated total loss of $12,465.

LPD said officers later saw both stolen vehicles in the parking lot of 8620 Lexington at 6:15 p.m. with 47-year-old Mitchell Wachter working on the van. The officers approached Wachter and he reportedly ran westbound through a field and then tackled by an officer.

The report said Wachter broke free of the officer and started to run on foot again when a TASER device was used and Wachter was taken into custody.

According to authorities, police recovered both vehicles and many of the stolen tools. They also found a loaded 9 mm handgun in a bag on the front seat of the pickup.

LPD said Wachter was arrested for two counts of felony burglary, two counts of felony theft by receiving stolen property, a felony for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of felony habitual criminal.