Appearing before Box Butte County District Court Judge Travis O’Gorman, Brandon Picket Pin, 41, of Alliance, received a prison sentence for attempted burglary and theft.
According to the Affidavit and Application for Arrest Warrant, this case began with an investigation by the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office based off of the report of a break in at Simplot on March 24, 2024. The manager explained to the deputy that a safety-deposit box with employees’ deposited checks inside was located in a dumpster in the 700 block of Niobrara Avenue in Alliance. The manager checked the security footage after learning about the safety-deposit box and saw an individual carrying a five-gallon fuel tank with gasoline inside, using a dolly that belonged to Simplot. The security footage also captured the individual’s vehicle, a Pontiac sedan. The manager told the deputy another employee saw the same vehicle earlier in the day. The employee then spoke with the deputy, noting he had talked to the driver of the Pontiac, and identified him as Brandon Picket Pin.
A number of tools, including a 20v impact wrench with two batteries, a tool bag, a Bluetooth radio and one five gallon fuel tank with five gallons of E85 gasoline were taken from Simplot that night.
On March 5, an Alliance Police Department Sergeant made contact with Picket Pin, who according to the Affidavit, confessed to burglarizing Simplot. Picket Pin advised that he had taken the items to a pawn shop in Scottsbluff.
Picket Pin was arrested and charged with Criminal Attempt of Burglary, a Class IIIA Felony and Theft by Unlawful Taking $500-$1,500, a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Judge O’Gorman ordered Picket Pin to serve 12 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections on the first charge, with credit for 31 days served, and 12 months for the second charges. Both sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.