Suspect in Memories and More Burglary Sentenced
David Loren Ebke, 59, of Fairbury, appeared in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, January 2, 2022, in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Vicky Johnson was the presiding judge.
Ebke was originally charged with burglary, a class 2A felony, punishable by a minimum of one year and a maximum of 50 years in prison. He was also charged with theft by unlawful taking with a value between $1,500 and $5,000, a class 4 felony, punishable by two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine.
According to the Arrest Affidavit, Ebke allegedly took approximately $1,500 worth of coins and other property from Memories and More Antique Mall in Fairbury. On September 7, 2020, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was informed that Ebke had allegedly attempted to sell coins matching the description of those taken to a pawnshop in Beatrice. The pawnshop did not purchase the coins.
Later that same day, the defendant was detained by the Lincoln Police Department, outside of Lincoln Coin and Bullion, a shop known to buy and sell coins and other items of precious metals.
He was detained until a Deputy from Jefferson County arrived and arrested him.
The Warrantless Arrest Affidavit, notes Ebke told law enforcement he did not know the coins were stolen and that they had been given to him by a friend.
Ebke was scheduled to attend a pretrial hearing in District Court on Thursday, March 4, 2021, but failed to appear. He was also scheduled to appear in District Court on Thursday, April 8, 2021, and did not show.
On May 5, 2021, a competency hearing was held in District Court. The defendant was declared not competent and unable to aid with his defense after a competency evaluation ordered by the court. Judge Johnson found Ebke should be committed to the Lincoln Regional Center.
Ebke remained incarcerated for nearly six months after the court ordered him committed that a space finally became available at the Lincoln Regional Center.
On December 9, 2021, he was declared competent by the court. After reviewing a letter dated November 23, 2021 from the treatment center, offered by the State as Exhibit 1, Judge Johnson declared the defendant’s competency had been restored.
In accordance with a plea agreement, Ebke pleaded Guilty to theft and the burglary charge was dismissed. Judge Johnson sentenced the defendant to 300 days in jail, with credit for 240 days time served.
This was only one in a series of arrests for the defendant.
County Court Cases
Ebke appeared in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, to respond to additional charges. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.
In an unrelated case, Ebke was charged in Jefferson County with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony punishable by two years incarceration and a $10,000 fine; obstructing a Peace Officer, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by one year incarceration and a $1,000 fine; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction that carries a $100 fine.
Ebke was arrested on February 15, 2021 when he was seen walking near 6th and F Street in Fairbury by Jefferson County Deputies. The deputies were aware that Ebke had an active warrant out of Gage County for driving under a suspended license and failing to appear in court.
According to the Arrest Affidavit, deputies searched the suspect and located a glass pipe with white residue inside that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
The deputy that filled out the affidavit noted, “Ebke attempted several times to get the methamphetamine pipe out of his pocket and had to be physically restrained for handcuffing.”
In accordance with a plea agreement, Ebke pleaded Guilty to attempts of a class 4 felony, which is a class 1 misdemeanor. He was sentenced to two days time served.
On March 7, 2021, Ebke was arrested during a traffic stop. He was arrested for driving under a suspended license. According to the Arrest Affidavit, Ebke was in possession of, “an 11-inch Ozark trail Knife with a 6 and ¾ inch blade.”
Ebke was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, first offense, a class 1 misdemeanor. He was also charged with driving under a suspended license and no valid registration, both class 3 misdemeanors.
In accordance with a plea agreement, Ebke pleaded No Contest to the weapon charge.
The remaining charges were dismissed.
He was sentenced to one day in jail, with credit for one day time served.
Ebke was arrested on April 21 after allegedly fleeing from police in a pickup truck.
Ebke is charged with operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a class 4 felony, punishable by two years imprisonment, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine, and obstructing a police officer, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. He is also charged with reckless driving, driving under a suspended license and driving without a valid registration, all class 3 misdemeanors.
In accordance with a plea agreement, Ebke pleaded No Contest to a reduced charge of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a class 1 misdemeanor.
He was sentenced to 260 days in jail, with 267 credit time served.
Ebke still has charges pending and a warrant for his arrest in Lancaster County for possession of a controlled substance and carrying a concealed weapon.
