In a recent development, authorities in Douglas County, Nebraska, reported that a man with an expired visa was taken into federal custody after attempting to retrieve tools seized during a theft investigation. Natanael Topete-Perez, who had previously been convicted and sentenced for two felony theft cases, contacted the sheriff's office on Monday with this request. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing construction site thefts and immigration issues.

Topete-Perez's involvement in these incidents began in December 2023 when he was charged with stealing a lighting generator worth at least $20,000 from a construction site in Dodge County. During an operation where deputies monitored a potential sale of the stolen generator, Topete-Perez appeared at the scene. Investigators identified him as a suspect and arrested him for theft or receipt of stolen property. His probation was short-lived, as he was arrested again in July following a warrant served at his residence. License plate readers had flagged his vehicle in connection with repeated thefts at another construction site in West Omaha. At his home, investigators recovered approximately $20,000 worth of stolen items.

Court documents reveal that Topete-Perez pleaded guilty to lesser charges in one case and entered a "no contest" plea in the other. Sentenced last Tuesday, January 21st, he received six years of probation and community service. However, his attempts to reclaim some of the unproven stolen tools led to an unexpected outcome. Instead of retrieving the tools, ICE officers took him into custody for deportation processing on Monday afternoon. This incident underscores the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement and criminal justice in Nebraska.

The situation with Topete-Perez exemplifies the broader issue of illegal overstays and their intersection with local crime. Despite multiple court proceedings, ICE was unable to detain him until now. This case serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities in ensuring public safety and upholding legal standards.