Council Bluffs water truck stolen, leading to police standoff
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) - Technology helped police track down an apparent car thief Wednesday morning, starting in Council Bluffs and ending up in a dead-end alley in Omaha.
The Council Bluffs water truck wasn’t hard to track down. Police tell 6 News the vehicle was equipped with a GPS tracker.
Police in Council Bluffs say the alleged incident could have been a crime of opportunity.
They believe 55-year-old Jeff Moore stole the truck from the water works pump station, drove to Omaha, and crashed in a dead-end alley near 9th and Bancroft.
“First, I thought maybe one of the trees fell down or something,” David Pazout, a victim of the crash said. “Then I got outside and saw there was a truck on my property and I thought, ‘Oh my god, what’s going on?’”
Pazout looked around, and he didn’t like what was going on.
“It looks like somebody stole a vehicle and hit my truck, hit the trailer and the boat,” Pazout said. “You can see the trailer, the boat, I also have an old ‘79 Bronco over there. My truck is probably fender, hood, mirror... I don’t know.”
Police tell us Moore crashed the car. He led the police on a short foot chase, he ended up going into a nearby apartment building. Police surrounded the area and eventually apprehended Moore. He was taken away in an ambulance.
Police records show Moore has a long criminal history, including serving time for burglary and another sentence for possession of burglary tools. He was recently released from jail, from driving under suspension.
Back in the alley, a tow truck was hauling off the wrecked water works truck. Officials believe there was some equipment missing from the back of the vehicle. Pazout is still in disbelief over what all went on in his own backyard.
“Oh, it’s crazy,” Pazout said. “I live here 15 years. It’s quiet here, and I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.”
Omaha Police tell us Moore was taken into custody after a standoff. Charges are to be determined.
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