Hastings Police Department (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — On Friday Sept. 8, 2023 the Hastings Police Department served a search warrant at 114 University Avenue. Over the past couple month there have been several people arrested leaving that residence for law violations, mostly possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
Several residents of the neighborhood and citizens of our community have expressed concern with the suspected criminal activity at 114 University. We have listened to the concerns and have applied many resources over the past several months to address the suspected criminal activity at this location.
On Sept. 8, 2023 at 5:30 p.m., the Hastings Police Department served a search warrant at 114 University Avenue. Several members of the Hastings Police worked this event to include the Patrol Division, Detective Division, Drug Task Force, Drone Pilot and Tactical Response Team (T.R.T). Assisting agencies consisted of the FBI TRIDENT Task Force (Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team), Nebraska State Patrol and Hastings Fire Rescue.
Upon arrival, the Hastings Police Department Tactical Response Team attempted to order the residents out for several minutes. Only two people complied and came out of the residence.
We had information that there were at least six more people in the residence that were refusing to exit. After a lengthy time, with no cooperation of the remaining occupants, chemical irritants were deployed into the residence. More subjects then exited before the T.R.T. made entry to remove the remaining occupants. In total, there were 10 people located within the residence.
The following people were arrested:
- Melissa Lehn, a 39-year-old Hastings resident, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and obstructing a police officer.
- Martin Hord, a 25-year-old Hastings resident, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and obstructing a police officer.
- Jorge Turrubiates, a 39-year-old Hastings resident, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and obstructing a police officer.
- Kearstan Metcalf, a 20-year-old Hastings resident, was arrested for obstructing a police officer.
- Auner Molina-Lopez, a 46-year-old Hastings resident, was arrested for obstructing a police officer.
- Brandon Seabaugh, a 28-year-old Hastings resident, was arrested for obstructing a police officer.
- Dennis Holland, 43-year-old Hastings resident, was arrested for obstructing a police officer.
- Sean Kelly, a 56-year-old Hastings resident, was arrested for obstructing a police officer
We want to thank all agencies that helped in this event and also thank the citizens in the neighborhood for their cooperation, information and positive interaction during this event.
