Copper thief awaits fate in a jail cell

COLUMBUS -- A 27-year-old Columbus man who showed up for sentencing in connection with a January burglary after having missed an earlier meeting with probation officials was led off in handcuffs Wednesday morning on his way to the county jail.

Platte County District Court Judge Robert Steinke revoked Jacob Busskohl’s bond and continued the defendant’s sentencing until 10 a.m. July 15. The defendant will now await sentencing in custody.

Busskohl had been released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond, which meant he had to appear for sentencing or owe the bond figure to the court.

Busskohl had missed a late-May meeting with probation officials preparing a presentence report for the judge to consider during sentencing.

Busskohl, who was arrested in early-January after selling stolen copper wiring for scrap metal at a local business, pleaded guilty in mid-May to burglarizing the city irrigation company.

Burglary is a Class III felony, punishable by a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, $25,000 fine or both and a minimum of one year imprisonment.

An investigation of the Jan. 7 burglary of Nebraska Irrigation progressed rapidly when the stolen electrical wiring was identified by personnel at Columbus Metal Industries, according to an affidavit filed by Columbus Police Officer Bryan Heusinkvelt.

Heusinkvelt said the wiring was labeled with the company’s private trade name “Raintech” on the outer insulation covering. Shoe impressions were also left by the suspect(s) on the floor of the irrigation company, he said.

Nebraska Irrigation officials identified the stolen wiring and Busskohl was identified as the man who sold the wire to Columbus Metal, Heusinkvelt said. During a later traffic stop, the officer said Busskohl reported getting the wiring from his grandfather.

Heusinkvelt said Busskohl was being arrested for driving under suspension when he tried to escape. The officer chased him about two blocks before catching him.

Officers later recovered several rolls of wiring owned by Nebraska Irrigation in the garage of Busskohl’s residence, Heusinkvelt said. A pair of boots matching the shoe prints left at the scene of the burglary were also seized, he said.