Oakdale man takes plea deal on holiday joy ride charges

A one-day bench trial scheduled for Monday in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh did not occur, due to an 11th hour plea deal.

Rider C. Short, 23, of Oakdale appeared with his attorney, Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, facing charges included in a second amended information filed by Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith on Oct. 25, 2023, Count I, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony, with notation that the charge included the willful reckless operation of the vehicle; Count II, unauthorized use of a propelled vehicle, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count III, criminal mischief, a Cass 4 felony.

Bartell announced the agreement, which included Short pleading no contest to counts I and II and Smith dismissing Count III.

Smith agreed to recommend probation at sentencing with restitution to be determined at that time for damage to the Neligh ESU building and to the Polaris Razor belonging to Jeremy Jockens of Oakdale.

Bond, in the amount of $20,000, 10% cash, is continued.

Short was arrested July 4, 2023, in downtown Neligh, during the city’s 150th birthday/Old Mill Days celebration. Short was observed by a Neligh police officer driving a Polaris Razor at a high rate of speed on L Street. The vehicle did not stop when the officer attempted a traffic stop, with activated lights and siren. The officer, Darrin Ternus, reported the Razor struck two lawn chairs and a wagon/stroller, collided with two trash dumpsters and, finally, the wall of the ESU building. Three individuals reported they had to climb a fence to avoid being hit.

As Short was being placed under arrest, Jockens arrived and, according to the affidavit, said he had not given Short permission to drive the Razor.