Vehicle Break-In Attempt In Orchard Leads To Arrest

A Michigan man is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle and attempting to steal another one in Orchard.

Antelope County Sheriff Deputy John Shaver said Edwin Smith was arrested Sunday night by the O’Neill Police Department after attempting to steal a pickup at Willie’s Service in Orchard earlier in the afternoon.

The pickup he was driving at the time of his arrest, a black and silver F-250 pickup with Missouri plates 72A5GE, was also stolen.

Shaver said Willie Rifer, owner of Willie’s, played a key role by being suspicious of activity in Orchard and calling law enforcement.

Rifer said he was going to his shop at around 4 p.m. when he noticed someone getting into a white Chevy that he had been working on.

“I was surprised it even started,” Rifer said. “I stopped in and asked what he was doing, and he said he was picking up the truck for Danny White.”

Knowing that was not the owners, Rifer immediately started questing Smith, who Rifer said gave him several other excuses to try and leave with the pickup before he finally gave up.

“He seemed either high or drunk. He then left in the other pickup and headed south,” Rifer said. “I wrote down his license plate and called the Sheriff’s Office.”

Shaver said he quickly discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen July 15 and notified surrounding departments to be aware of the stolen vehicle.

Just a couple hours later, Smith was arrested in O’Neill and transported to Holt County Jail.

“The Antelope County Sheriff’s Department works hard to maintain a good working relationships with other law enforcement, and this is an example of that effort,” Shaver said. “In rural Nebraska, you have to work together, and we were able to apprehend the suspect quickly.”

​Shaver said Smith is facing charges in Holt County and has charges pending in Antelope as well.