the Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:00 pm
It’s not clear why, but a 30-year-old allegedly was seen circling a fountain near the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in his pickup Tuesday night.
It was 10:20 p.m. when a zoo employee spotted him driving around Teacher’s Fountain, 27th and Capitol Parkway, and called police with a description of the driver, his pickup and plate number, Capt. Jim Thoms said.
He said police went to the registered owner’s address at 2742 Cable Ave. and found the blue 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup with mud and grass on it.
When they talked with the owner, Joshua Arney, he denied any involvement. But the zoo employee identified him as the driver, Thoms said.
Police cited Arney on suspicion of vandalism — and reckless driving.
Damage to the shrubs and landscaping was estimated at $100.
Patrol asks motorists to plan ahead for weekend
Nebraska State Patrol troopers will be putting in overtime this holiday weekend.
They’re preparing for heavy traffic volume and the possibility of traffic slowdowns Saturday as motorists travel to and from Lincoln for the State Fair and the 2:30 p.m. kickoff of the Nebraska-Nevada game.
State Patrol Spokeswoman Deb Collins reminded motorists to wear seat belts, obey speed limits, use caution in construction zones, allow plenty of time to reach their destination and never drink and drive.
The special enforcement effort coincides with the “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” campaign, designed to concentrate on drinking and driving in an effort to take alcohol-impaired drivers off the roads.
The State Patrol ask those who witness an impaired or reckless driver to call their highway helpline at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cell phone.
The overtime hours used during the campaign and the Labor Day Holiday enforcement are paid in part by a nearly $18,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, Collins said.