FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-58)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

April 28, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – An inmate was arrested by members of the Omaha Police Department shortly after notification to authorities that he ran away from the Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O) late last night. Anthony Gonzales #88444 was booked into the Pottawattamie County jail after being taken into custody in Carter Lake, Iowa.

Gonzales was dropped off at CCC-O before midnight in a private vehicle. Staff members quickly interceded when they saw Gonzales assault the driver. They removed him from the car and blocked his way when he tried several times to re-enter the vehicle. Gonzales refused multiple directives to be placed in restraints, and then fled the facility grounds. A staff member administered a short burst of OC (oleoresin capsicum) from his canister to stop Gonzales, but the wind limited its effectiveness. The staff member continued to pursue Gonzales on foot, to the end of the facility’s property.

Omaha officers were at CCC-O taking information from staff members, when a tamper alarm went off on the electronic monitoring device Gonzales was wearing. Police were able to use that information to track Gonzales to a hotel near Carter Lake, where he was arrested.

“Staff members acted swiftly and appropriately from the moment they witnessed the assault, and throughout the process of trying to convince Gonzales to cooperate,” said CCC-O Warden Ryan Mahr. “Once he took off, information was shared immediately with local law enforcement which allowed officers to locate Mr. Gonzales and bring the situation to a swift conclusion.”

Gonzales’ sentence started on October 9, 2018. He is serving a six to 10-year sentence on a charge of robbery out of Douglas County. He has a tentative release date of August 30, 2023 and a parole hearing scheduled in May 2021.  

CCC-O is one of two community custody facilities operated by NDCS. Community custody is the lowest custody level and the least restrictive facility. Inmates are allowed to participate in work opportunities, attend school and religious services with prior approval and without direct supervision.

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