Man accused of making terroristic threats toward people in Nebraska Panhandle

MINATARE, Neb. (KNOP) - A man accused of making terroristic threats toward people in Minatare was arrested on Thursday.

Deputies with the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Nebraska State Patrol and Gering Police Department, were called to the area of 4th Street and 1st Avenue around 7:13 p.m. for a disturbance.

The initial report was that a man who was possibly armed was in the backyard of a home.

While on scene, a Gering Police officer spotted the suspect running in the area of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Authorities lost him shortly after.

The sheriff’s office said authorities set up a perimeter around the area, and the suspect, identified as Thomas Gonzalez, 56, of Minatare, was later contacted after he walked out of a nearby home.

Authorities interviewed the victim and several witnesses that confirmed Gonzalez made threats to kill the victim and his family, according to the sheriff’s office.

Gonzalez was arrested on suspicion of terroristic threats and disturbing the peace. No firearms were recovered.