by Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman
On May 21, 2024, at approximately 10:55 p.m. Deputies responded to a reported home invasion/armed robbery and assault at a rural Gering residence that is commonly used as a short-term rental.
Three males were inside the residence. They stated that two unknown males, both armed with handguns and wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks had entered the house and forced their way into two downstairs bedrooms. One suspect assaulted one of the victims by striking him in the head repeatedly with a handgun. The suspects stole credit cards, cell phones, identification, keys to a pickup, cash and a handgun from the victims. The victims were all forced to kneel on the floor. At one point, one of the victims retrieved a cell phone and called 911. The victims said that they didn’t know the suspects and could not identify the vehicle the suspects had, other than it was “loud.” The injured victim was transported to the hospital for treatment.
The owner of the rental property resides in a nearby house, and the suspects did not enter that house.
We believe that this was a specific, targeted event.
Within a very short time after this incident, we were in contact with Colorado authorities from more than one agency. One person of interest is in custody on Colorado charges, one vehicle has been impounded, and some property stolen from the victims has been recovered. Our investigators have been to Colorado and assisted with a search warrant, and we continue to work closely with Colorado agencies. We believe that the suspects are not from Nebraska and do not pose a threat to our area.