NPPD copper burglar sentenced

A 27 year old Fort Collins, Colorado man was sentenced in Scotts Bluff County District Court to serve 1 to 3 years in prison on a burglary charge related to the theft of copper wire from Nebraska Public Power District just over a year ago.

Brandon Vlcek was found guilty of burglary and possession of burglary tools in October. A third charge of theft by taking was dismissed by the court on a technicality.

After being alerted by N.P.P.D., law enforcement officers were able to follow and arrest Vlcek, along with 47 year old Aaron Allbrandt, also of Fort Collins, and 23 year old Crystal Venagas of Lyman in the early morning hours of June 19th.

Court documents indicate that law enforcement was notified by N.P.P.D. that a pile of their copper wire spools had been stolen from a power station at Highway 71 and Experiment Farm Road north of Scottsbluff. The three suspects were taken into custody south of Morrill.

In addition to the 1 to 3 year sentence on burglary, Vlcek will serve a 1 to 3 year sentence for possession of burglary tools. That sentence will run concurrent with the burglary sentence.

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