NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV) – An investigation is underway after a Stanton County Sheriff’s vehicle was found engulfed in flames Friday, Jan. 23, in Norfolk’s Woodland Park neighborhood.
A passerby called 911 around 6 a.m. after discovering the squad car engulfed in flames. No one was inside the vehicle at the time.
The patrol car was new to the department with less than 1,500 miles on it.
Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger said the department paid roughly $40,000 for the car and another $30,000 for the equipment inside.
While the car was deemed a total loss, some items were saved from the burning vehicle.
“Deputy Kleensang and another on-duty deputy were able to actually enter the car when it was on fire and did remove some items, including weapons and things like that. So, I mean, they put themselves at risk to do that,” Unger said.
The destroyed vehicle belongs to Chief Deputy Aaron Kleensang, who is running for Stanton County Sheriff.
“That does leave out the possibility that it was possibly intentional, and Chief Deputy Kleensang is a candidate for Stanton County Sheriff, since I am retiring at the end of this term,” said Unger. “That throws a few monkey wrenches in it, because he does have some animosity towards him.”
Fire marshals are still looking for the exact cause of the fire. Unger said if it turns out to be arson, a hate crime could be among the list of charges.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials hope to know more in the coming days.
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