NEWS RELEASE
DATE & TIME: 04-29-2026 @ 0635hrs
LOCATION: 217 Austin St, Pickrell, NE
OFFENSE: Terroristic Threats, Trespassing 2nd Degree, Criminal Attempt Arson 3rd Degree
CASE#: 2026-1784
DETAILS: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:35 am, deputies from the Gage County Sheriff’s Office responded to a “Remove Party” request from the manager of Pickrell Locker and Smokehouse to remove an intoxicated employee.
When deputies arrived, they observed the remains of a small fire on the sidewalk that had recently been extinguished. They observed a male, 21-year-old Colton Belding, in the area and he attempted to avoid the deputies by going into a business, however he came back out when ordered to do so.
Deputies observed that Belding had removed his pants, which had caught on fire prior to their arrival. When he spoke with the deputies, they believed he was not being truthful, and he made several non-sequitur statements to them. The manager stated that the suspect, Colton Belding, refused to leave the business and made several statements about causing the building to blow up. The suspect, Colton Belding, a 21-year-old male from Pickrell, was an employee at that business and was arrested for Terroristic Threats, Trespassing, and Criminal Attempt of Arson.
Belding was transported to Beatrice Community Hospital where he was medically cleared before being booked into the Gage County Detention Center.
Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903
Deputy J. Beville #9035
Deputy R. Sandersfeld #9032
Sergeant T. Hanson #90310