Kearney man accused of kidnapping Nebraska probation officer
KEARNEY NE December 26 2021 — A Kearney man is in jail accused of kidnapping, robbing and assaulting a Nebraska probation officer early Saturday morning in Kearney.
Shawn W. Smith, 35, of Kearney, was charged in Buffalo County Court with felony kidnapping, robbery, terroristic threats, flight to avoid arrest, misdemeanor third-degree assault and driving under the influence of alcohol-first offense in the incident.
Records indicate Smith went to a residence where the female probation officer was, hitting her numerous times, taking her to an ATM to force her to withdraw money, and then allegedly threatening her if she told anyone.
At 1:31 a.m. Saturday a man called the Kearney Police Department asking officers to check on the welfare of a woman at a residence in the 1000 block of 15th Street.
When officers arrived at the residence a neighbor told them a man and woman left in a silver sport utility vehicle. As police rang the doorbell to the residence a silver SUV pulled into the driveway, then backed out and took off at a high rate of speed without its headlights on.
Police stopped the vehicle a short time later. Records indicate the driver, identified as Smith, had a strong odor of alcohol and preliminary breath tests indicated his blood alcohol content at .176 and .146, about twice the legal limit in Nebraska. The passenger was known to officers and identified as a probation officer.
An officer saw an abrasion on the woman’s lower lip, blood on her mouth, face, hands and clothing, and when the officer asked her what had happened, she said Smith beat her up. The woman was transported to CHI Health Good Samaritan for treatment, and Smith was arrested.
The ensuing investigation revealed Smith showed up at the woman’s residence, demanded money and hit her in the face 10-15 times and kicked her in the ribs.
Smith allegedly told the woman he wanted $1,000, and took her to an ATM to make a withdraw.
The woman withdrew $500 from one bank, and told the man to go to another bank to get the remaining money. Instead, Smith allegedly gave the woman until noon Saturday to get the rest of the money.
Smith allegedly threatened the woman if she didn’t get the remaining money he had friends in Omaha who would find her and her child. Smith then drove back to the residence on 15th Street, but when they arrived he saw police and fled the area.
Smith remains at the Buffalo County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
