Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of a firearm, Burglary, Drug Possession

DATE & TIME: 05/21/18 @ 0830 hrs.     

LOCATION: 1018 N. 15^th St.; 1020 N. 15^th St.; and 1425 N. 18^th St.; Beatrice, NE         

OFFENSE: Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of a Firearm by Prohibited Person, Burglary, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.       

CASE #: 2018-1940

On 05/21/18 deputies with the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Beatrice Police Department executed three search warrants for stolen property. The search warrants were the result of an investigation which indicated that John Schriner, Jacob Bednar, and others were involved in thefts and burglaries in Gage and surrounding counties. The investigation also indicated that stolen property was likely being kept at 1018 N. 15^th St., 1020 N. 15^th St. and 1425 N. 18^th St. in Beatrice. During the execution of the search warrants, Schriner was located inside of 1020 N. 15^th St. Stolen property was located in the driveway at 1018 N. 15^th St. as well as in the garage at 1018 N. 15^th St. The stolen property was reported stolen in a recent burglary of the Filley High School in Filley, NE. Schriner had been attempting to sell these items online in the days before the search warrant. Total estimated value of the items that have been identified at the present time is $300-$400.

Also located during the search of 1018 N. 15^th St. was the barrel and receiver for a New England .20 gauge shotgun. This was located wrapped up in a towel inside of a filing cabinet in the southwest portion of the garage, which is the same area where some of the stolen property was located. Based on the investigation, it appears that Schriner was using this area of the garage to store and sell stolen property. Schriner’s criminal history indicates that he is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Schriner was arrested on two unrelated arrest warrants as well as new charges which include Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.   

Stolen property was also located at 1425 N. 18^th St. This property was connected to several burglaries in the city of Beatrice, and possibly elsewhere. Jacob Bednar was located at this address and he was also found in possession of methamphetamine and methamphetamine pipes. Bednar was arrested on multiple charges including Burglary, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, and Possession of Stolen Property. 

Two additional people at 1020 N. 15^th St. were cited for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernaila. 

The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible.    

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator Matthew Ernst #90315