Lincoln Police Credit Crimestoppers Tips for Several Recent Arrests

By: Chad Silber - Email

Updated: Fri 6:44 PM, Oct 05, 2012

Every week we feature unsolved crimes that Lincoln Police are hoping you know something about.

Sometimes, they don't turn up any leads, but oftentimes, with your help, they're able to arrest a suspect.

Police shared five cases with us that couldn't have been solved without the public's help.

The first case was back on April 9th. Police say someone broke into the victim's home, took a checkbook and wrote four checks at local businesses, totaling nearly $400. Someone recognized the man as 48-year-old Charles Hellbusch. When Police arrested him, he confessed to the crime. He's facing a second degree Forgery charge.

On April 19th, Police say three men robbed a U-Stop at gunpoint. They got away with $300 cash and cartons of cigarettes. After showing the pictures, 18-year-old Jackson Fleming was arrested with a Crimestoppers tip. He's facing a Robbery charge. His two underage accomplices were also arrested.

A couple weeks later, a woman was caught on Walmart surveillance spending $300 on a stolen debit card. She was identified as Piper Leeds. A month later, Police arrested her on a Theft charge. It could be her 4th theft conviction.

Our last two cases involve a man who Police say stole from Walmart twice over a 5-day period. In total, he walked out with more than $800 in electronics. Someone recognized him as 32-year-old Benjamin Wallen. He's also facing Theft charges.

"It's an important tool that we have," said LPD Officer Shane Winterbauer. "It's getting the citizens involved in helping clear up crime in Lincoln and obviously it's an easy way to get cash in your pocket."

If the crime is cleared, you could be eligible for a $1,000 cash reward.

Car Crashes Down In Lincoln