Nathan Robinson Found Guilty; will serve 20-30 years in NDOC

(Editors Note: a correction was made regarding consecutively running sentences in the first paragraph)

SIDNEY--

An incident that left the Cheyenne County community shocked and outraged in January of 2024 finally came to a resolution, when on July 15, 2024, Nathan Robinson of Dix, NE was sentenced to not more than 30 years but no less than 20 years on Count I - Robbery, and on Count III Senior Adult Abuse not more than 36 months with credit of 168 days served. The sentences will be served consecutively, and his sentencing for Kimball County case No. CR23-12 will run consecutively with the Cheyenne County cases. He will serve out his time within the Nebraska Department of Corrections system.

The sentence stems from the January 17, 2024 incident at the Western Heritage Apartments where Robinson, a 2019 Senior at Potter-Dix schools, repeatedly banged on the apartment door of an 84-year-old female resident at two in the morning. The woman opened the door and Robinson stepped inside and immediately began to assault her, then seized the keys to her red 2012 Chevrolet Cruz, left the apartment, and drove away.

Sidney Police Department Officer Cory Lenstrom was dispatched to the scene of the crime after the 84-year-old female called an ambulance after the assault. After arriving, Lenstrom was met at the door by the victim, and Lenstrom attested in an affidavit that he observed bleeding and blood coming from the victim's mouth with a severe injury to the victim's jaw and left side of the face. He stated the victim appeared to be in severe pain. Lenstrom asked the victim what had happened, and she responded that Nathan had hit her. He did a sweep and search of the victim's apartment and observed blood on the floor and tipped-over furniture. Lenstrom took pictures of the victim's injuries before she was transported to Sidney Regional Medical Center, and he continued his intense investigation.

Over the next few days following the incident, the Sidney Police Department and the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Department worked on leads received from Robinson's former associates and relatives. Social media posts were also shared with Robinson's name, image, and the red Chevrolet he was thought to be still driving. Sidney Police entered Mr. Robinson's information as well as the information for the stolen vehicle into the National Crime Information Center database.

On January 23, Robinson was placed in custody at 11:35 p.m. in Colorado by Canon City Police. According to Canon City Police, officers received a call from a convenience store clerk who said that the occupants of a red Chevrolet Cruz were acting suspiciously in the area of the store. Officers responded and Robinson was found with another male passenger in the car. Robinson was placed under arrest for Unlawful Possession of a Schedule One or Two Amphetamine and held at the Fremont County jail. The passenger was not charged with a crime and was released at the scene.

Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens said, "From the start, we received tips from people in Kimball and around the county about the locations where the suspect could be heading, and advised officers in their respective departments to be on the lookout for Robinson."

Both Sidney Police and the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Department received numerous calls and tips concerning the whereabouts of Robinson during that period. They kept tracking the suspect and he was arrested in southern Colorado on January 23 by Canon City Police after a convenience store clerk called police and said occupants of a red Chevy Cruze were acting suspiciously in the parking lot of the store. Robinson was found in the car with a male passenger, who was not charged and released. Robinson was placed under arrest and held at the Fremont County jail before being extradited to Sidney.

"With all the help and support we received from the community, and participating law enforcement agencies, we were confident that he would be arrested quickly." said Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens.

In other court news, Jose M. Flores-Machado was found guilty of Attempted Burglary, a Class IIIA Felony. In January of 2024, Flores-Machado, a Colorado resident, was identified as the suspect in a burglary attempt on Highway 19. Flores-Machado was attempting to "willfully, maliciously and forcibly break and enter real estate with the intent to steal property of value." On July 15, Flores-Machado was sentenced to 15 to 36 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections.