Pair arrested in Reynolds and Hastings on suspicion of connection to multiple burglaries

Multiple burglaries were reported in and around Jefferson County on December 30 of last year. Now, a month and a half later, investigations have led to two men being arrested in connection to those thefts.

According to a Tuesday press release from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 34-year-old Gary Keller, Jr. was arrested on February 10 at a residence in Reynolds, Nebraska. Police had obtained a search warrant for the location following "a very lengthy investigation into the residence and the occupant."

Last week's search uncovered "numerous items that had been reported as stolen from at least three different properties" in Jefferson County, Nebraska and Washington County, Kansas, according to the release. Multiple puppies that appeared to have been neglected were also safely removed from the residence.

Keller was booked into the Jefferson County Jail and faces multiple charges, including: Possession of Controlled Substance; Possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, and possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony; Animal Cruel Neglect, Theft by receiving Stolen Property; and Possession of Stolen Firearms.

That same search warrant led to additional warrant to search a residence in Hastings a few days later, on February 13. Hastings police identified "Numerous items...that were connected to the burglaries in Jefferson County NE and Washington County Kansas," according to the release, and arrested 34-year-old Dylan Zimmerling, charging him with possession of stolen firearms.

He is facing 18 total charges, half of which are possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and the other half of which are possessing or receiving a stolen firearm. He will have his first bond hearing on February 18.