Judge sends Neligh man to prison for Neligh business burglary

Christopher W. Robinett, 21, of Neligh appeared in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on Dec. 20 for sentencing on two counts committed Aug. 6, burglary of a pickup from Carhart Lumber Co. in Neligh, and driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, as well as resentencing on a 2022 conviction of attempted burglary of the Neligh Vape Shop and Fit Stop.

The Honorable James Kube sentenced Robinett to three prison terms, to be served consecutive to each other.

In the Carhart burglary case, Robinett was sentenced to serve not less than two nor more than three years in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Corrections on Count I, burglary, a Class 2A felony. He was given credit for 136 days previously served and ordered to pay $4,525.11 restitution - $2,875.11 to Elkhorn Rural Public Public Power District for a damaged power pole, $1,000 to Carharts and $650 to Sanne Repair for towing the wrecked pickup. On Count II, DUI, a Class W misdemeanor, Kube sentenced him to serve 60 days, fined $500 and his driver’s license will be revoked for six months, upon his release from prison. He was assessed $137 costs of prosecution.

In the 2022 case, Kube revoked probation and resentenced him to not less than one nor more than two years’ incarceration on the original crime, attempted burglary from the two businesses, a Class 3A felony, with credit for 40 days previously served. He ordered payment of $270 in unpaid probation fees and a balance of $4,674.56 in restitution, jointly and severally with co-defendants.

Robinett’s court appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, requested a probation sentence. He said Robinett wanted to get his GED and go to Northeast Community College to learn a trade. He said his client had done well on probation while he resided in Norfolk because he had a job. But when he moved back to Neligh he was no longer employed.

Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith objected to probation and requested consecutive sentences, “so one isn’t free.”

Robinett told the judge he moved back to Neligh to be closer to family. He said it didn’t work out because he started running around with old friends. He claimed he had no recollection of committing the Aug. 6 crimes.

Robinett was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore for execution of sentences.

Law enforcement officers were contacted by Robinett’s father, about 4:30 a.m. Aug. 6, advising suspicions the defendant had stolen a flatbed pickup from Carhart Lumber. Ternus and Moore met a Carhart representative at the lumber yard, discovering an overhead door open and a walk-in door with a broken lock. A 2013 Chevy Silverado pickup was missing from the bay area. It was later located north of Tilden, in a ditch, wrecked, with Robinett still in the driver’s seat. The vehicle hit and broke off a power pole near the Antelope County Country Club.

Robinett was sentenced in November 2022 to a 24-month term of probation for his role in March 21, 2022, break-ins at two Neligh businesses, Neligh Vape Shop and the Fit Stop. He was ordered to pay $5,686.56 restitution, jointly and severally with three co-defendants.