PLATTSMOUTH – A man who is suspected of stealing a bulldozer and telling a 911 dispatcher he was driving to Omaha — which was under a curfew due to Black Lives Matter protests — has been declared competent to stand trial.
Chad Thiessen, 40, of Plattsmouth is suspected of taking the bulldozer from a Highway 1 construction site and calling police to warn sheriff’s deputies to stay away.
An arrest affidavit says Thiessen told the dispatcher that he would be coming through town.
Affidavit: “Just so you know I am the Trump Bulldozer Bible Prophecy.”
Affidavit: “I’m telling you dude that the (omitted) away from me…I’ve got a megaphone. I’ve got a (omitted) bulldozer. The American public is gonna know that you can’t be praying in secret while people are burning alive.”
Affidavit: “I’m pushing everyone out of the way.”
The affidavit says Thiessen told the dispatcher to have the bulldozer owner call him because he suspected the owner would not want to press charges against him.
A Cass County sheriff’s deputy attempted a traffic stop of the bulldozer near Highway 75 and Church Road, but reports that bulldozer turned away whenever a patrol vehicle approached.
The bulldozer went through fields toward the end of a runway at the Plattsmouth Municipal Airport with deputies in pursuit.
The bulldozer nearly got stuck on railroad tracks, but continued south until officials convinced him to stop in a field.
The contractor Graham Builds reported that the 2016 Cat model 963K had been stolen.
Thiessen had modified the cab with spray foam and wood reinforcements.
Officials report damage to the railroad tracks and taxiway and runway at the airport.
The affidavit also says deputies recovered items Thiessen had dropped in the field from the bulldozer, including a large metal and foam helmet and large gas canister. A homemade knife with knuckles taped on the handle was also found.
District Judge Michael Smith set at June jury and retained bond with a $10,000 provision.
