Aug 1, 2022
RawNews1st – Police Make Arrest in Kidnapping and Assault Investigation
The Lincoln Police Department has arrested one man and had obtained a felony arrest warrant for another in a case involving a kidnapping and assault of a man and a woman.
Austin Widhalm, age 26, has been charged with 1st Degree Assault, Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony and 1st Degree False Imprisonment.
A felony warrant had been issued for Tanner Danielson, age 30, for
1st Degree False Imprisonment, 1st Degree Assault, 1st Degree False Imprisonment and 1st Degree Sexual Assault.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. the Lincoln Police Department was contacted by investigators from the Gage County Sheriff’s Office regarding a man who was found bound and walking
down a rural road with obvious injuries.
When contacted, the 26-year-old victim told investigators he was kidnapped and beaten at a location in Lincoln prior to being transported to an unknown location in Gage County.
During the investigation it was discovered that a second victim, female, had been kidnapped, assaulted and sexually assaulted.
The man reported Danielson and Widhalm took him to an area he was unfamiliar with and tied him to a tree while still bound.
He was eventually able to free himself and left the area walking until finding a Gage County Sheriff’s Deputy. He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Investigators continued to follow-up throughout the day and at approximately 3:00 p.m. on July 29, officers arrested Widhalm at his residence.
Danielson was arrested in Rapid City, SD, on the arrest warrants by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
This remains an active investigation, additional information is not being released at this time.
While we are aware that members of the media have additional details, out of respect for the privacy of the victims and for the integrity of the continued investigation, we ask that they refrain from releasing additional information at this time beyond what has been officially released.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lincoln Police Department at 402.441.6000 or if they wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 402.475.3600.
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