Lincoln, NE – Three people accused of carrying out an ATM robbery in Omaha were arrested Wednesday after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Lancaster County led deputies to discover $140,000 in stolen cash, authorities said. The arrests followed a routine stop that quickly escalated into a multi-agency investigation.
Incident Overview
According to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy stopped a Nissan Altima around 2 p.m. Wednesday for unsafe passing and changing more than one lane near 56th Street and I-80. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals, all later linked to a robbery reported earlier in the day in Omaha.
Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said the deputy detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle shortly after making contact with the occupants, prompting further investigation.
Discovery During Traffic Stop
The driver, Jacob Wallace, 22, consented to a search of the vehicle, deputies said. During that search, law enforcement discovered three backpacks containing a combined total of $140,000 in cash.
As deputies continued questioning the occupants, they learned that one of the passengers had an active arrest warrant out of Texas for theft, further raising suspicions about the source of the money.
Houchin said,
“What began as a traffic stop quickly turned into a major criminal investigation once deputies located the cash and began connecting the individuals to a robbery earlier that day.”
Link to Omaha ATM Robbery
Further investigation revealed that the three occupants were allegedly responsible for an ATM robbery in Omaha that occurred earlier Wednesday. Deputies coordinated with Omaha authorities to confirm details of the robbery and identify the suspects.
All three individuals — Wallace, Kendris Boston Jr., 21, and Kaleb Tshibangu, 25, all of Texas — were taken into custody and transported to the Lancaster County Jail, where they were initially lodged for possession of stolen property.
Arrest Warrants and Next Steps
On Friday, officials confirmed that arrest warrants were issued out of Omaha for all three suspects on suspicion of robbery. Authorities said the men will be transported to Omaha at a later date to face those charges.
Investigators have not released additional details about how the ATM robbery was carried out or whether other suspects may be involved. The investigation remains active.
Public Safety and Crime Context
ATM robberies and large-scale cash thefts often involve organized criminal activity and can pose serious risks to the public, particularly when suspects flee across jurisdictions. Law enforcement officials credit routine traffic enforcement with frequently uncovering more serious crimes, emphasizing the importance of proactive patrols.
Authorities also reminded motorists that traffic violations can lead to unexpected legal consequences, especially when other criminal activity is involved.
Conclusion
The arrests made following the I-80 traffic stop highlight how a routine enforcement action led to the recovery of $140,000 in stolen cash and the apprehension of suspects connected to an Omaha ATM robbery. Authorities continue to investigate the case as the suspects await transfer to Omaha.
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