Deputies find drugs, fake IDs during traffic stop

Saunders County deputies got more than they expected during a traffic stop early Sunday morning.

Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz said the two men were stopped shortly after 2 a.m. just north of Wahoo on Nebraska Highway 92 on a routine traffic stop. During the stop, deputies found suspected methamphetamine and other materials.

“They had numerous phony IDs,” Stukenholtz said. “They had a computer, a scanner and numerous stolen checks and other pieces of identification.”

He said the two men had as many as 200 checks and IDs.

“We had some evidence they had been washing the checks,” Stukenholtz said, adding that he believes some of the checks had been stolen from mail boxes.

During the stop, he said the driver attempted to steal a patrol car but was unsuccessful.

The two men provided false information to the deputies, Stukenholtz said, and deputies are still trying to confirm the men’s identities. He said deputies believe to have matched a picture and criminal history to one of the men, but until they are positively identified, the names won’t be released.

Fingerprint-based identification is expected to be performed today.

A 28-year-old man was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, criminal impersonation, attempted escape and possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, all Class IV felonies; attempted motor vehicle theft and false reporting, Class I misdemeanors; and driving under suspension, a Class III misdemeanor.

A 27-year-old man was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, criminal impersonation and possession of stolen property.

Bond has yet to be set and both men remain in custody. No future court dates were available. It is believed that both men are Douglas County residents.