Saunders County rural bridge damaged by explosive device | Crime-and-courts
Suzi Nelson’s Wahoo Diary
WAHOO – A bridge near Wahoo has been damaged by an explosive and law enforcement officials are asking for the public’s help in solving the case and preventing further damage to property or persons.
On Feb. 1, an explosive device was placed on a bridge rail on County Road 19 between County Road J and County Road K, west of Wahoo, according to Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz.
The sheriff said his office is concerned that the person or persons involved could be seriously injured or killed if they continue.
“Individuals who have these kinds of high-powered explosives are putting themselves and other people at risk,” Stukenholtz said.
The Sheriff’s Department and other Saunders County law enforcement agencies have received reports of explosions in the county in recent weeks and months, leading investigators to believe that the incidents could be linked to the same suspects.
“It’s been going on for a while,” Stukenholtz said. “We think they’re probably related.”
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Stukenholtz said his office has leads in the investigation, is asking the public to provide information by calling the sheriff’s office at 402-443-1000, or giving an anonymous tip through the Saunders County Crimestoppers number at 402-443-8181. The sheriff’s office also requested information on its Facebook page.
County Public Works Director Andy Nordstrom said damage to the bridge is estimated at around $500.
There was no structural damage, Nordstrom said. However, if the explosive device had been placed a few meters above, the main support would have been significantly damaged, he added.
The bridge will be closed for the next few weeks while the investigation continues. The National Fire Agency is also involved in the case.
Nebraska’s Most Dangerous Cities
Nebraska Dangerous Cities
See how your hometown ranks among the most dangerous cities in Nebraska. Ratings were determined based on the number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents in cities with a population of at least 10,000, with violent crimes categorized as murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The figures are for 2019, the most recent year for which the FBI provides data.
6. Town of the Southern Sioux
With 30 violent crimes in 2019 and a population of 12,771 (the smallest on our list), the northeastern Nebraska city had 2.35 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
Photo: An RV park in South Sioux City on the Missouri River.
PHOTO ASSOCIATE PRESS KIT
5. Scott Bluff
The city of 15,862 had 53 violent crimes for a rate of 3.34 per 1,000 in 2019.
Photo: Gering Police Officer Jordan McBride talks to Scottsbluff Police Officer Michael Modeac as he sets up crime scene tape at the scene of a gun battle in Scottsbluff in June 2021.
STAR-HERALD FILE PHOTO
4. North Platte
With a population of 23,705 and 89 violent crimes, the city had a rate of 3.75 per 1,000.
Photo: Union Pacific train engines line up in front of a service building in North Platte.
FILE PICTURE
3.Lincoln

Star City had a population of 291,128 with 1,115 violent crimes, a rate of 3.83 per 1,000.
Pictured: Lincoln Police are investigating a shooting near the intersection of 14th and E streets in August 2019.
NEWSPAPER STAR FILE PHOTO
2. Big Island
With a population of 51,821 and 236 violent crimes, the largest of the Tri Cities had a rate of 4.55 per 1,000 residents in 2019.
Photo: Grand Island Police and State Patrol personnel are investigating after a body was found in a Grand Island yard in August 2020.
INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO OF GRAND ISLAND
1.Omaha

In 2019, the state’s largest city with 470,481 residents had 2,833 violent crimes for a rate of 6.13 per 1,000.
Photo: Omaha Police and University Police guard the entrance to the Nebraska Medical Emergency Room after an Omaha police officer was fatally shot at Westroads Mall in March 2021.
WORLD-HERALD FILE PHOTO
A note on the numbers
With eight violent crimes in 2019, Boys Town led the state with 13.82 per 1,000 residents, which is a misleading stat as it only had a population of 579 in 2019.
Photo: The statue at the entrance to Boys Town. It doesn’t take much to skew the numbers.
PHOTO ASSOCIATE PRESS KIT
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