Norfolk man arrested in Stanton after lit cigarette was thrown from window

STANTON, Neb. -- Stanton County authorities said they arrested a Norfolk man for driving under suspension after his passenger allegedly threw a lit cigarette out of the vehicle window. 

The Stanton County Sheriff's Office said they arrested 49-year-old Brian Thies around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

SCSO said they arrested Thies on felony DUS charges after a lit cigarette was seen being thrown out of a window of the vehicle traveling on Highway 24 east of Norfolk. 

The vehicle was pulled over, and SCSO said the female passenger admitted to throwing the lit cigarette out of the window. 

Thies was found to be suspended for DWI and was operating a motor vehicle without an interlock device in the vehicle as required, according to authorities. 

SCSO said Thies had also been consuming alcohol which made the violation a felony. 

Thies was arrested and booked at the Stanton County Sheriff's Office. Officials said this is where he gave a breath sample that was under the legal limit, but showed him in violation of the DUS-Interlock statute.

He was then jailed pending the setting of a bond. 

SCSO said the female passenger was cited for littering, and was made aware of the dangers of disposing lit material during a published drought.