Three Omaha teens were arrested Tuesday night after Lincoln Police say they stole thousands of dollars worth of iPads from a Target store and were linked to additional thefts and an attempted counterfeit money scam.
LPD Public Information Manager Erika Thomas says it began around 8:30 when officers were called to the Target at 48th and R. Loss Prevention reported four teenagers had taken iPads from a secure case and hid them in backpacks.
“As officers arrived, the suspects ran out of the front of the store and ditched the backpacks in the parking lot,” Thomas says. “Officers caught up with two of the suspects near 46th and R. A third was taken into custody a short time later. The fourth suspect escaped.”
Thomas says inside the abandoned backpacks, officers recovered 17 stolen iPads valued at more than $14,000. “The investigation determined the teens had also attempted to exchange fake currency at Super Saver next door about 10 minutes prior.”
Thomas says one exchanged fake $50 bills for $700 in real cash. The other three teens are accused of stealing more than $3,200 worth of Nike clothing from Dick’s Sporting Goods around 8 p.m. Eighteen-year-old Siidi Adan of Omaha was arrested and booked into the Lancaster County Jail for felony shoplifting, first-degree forgery, and obstructing a peace officer.
A 16 and 17 year-old from Omaha were taken to the Youth Services Center and referred for theft by shoplifting over $5,000, obstructing a police officer, attempted first degree forgery and theft by shoplifting $1,500-$5,000.