DATE& TIME: February 9 & 10, 2026 / 12:34
LOCATION: Cortland Area
OFFENSE: Fraud / Identity Theft
CASE#: 2026-0549 & 2026-0559
DETAILS:
Two residents from the Cortland area reported fraud involving theft of checks from the mail to deputies and investigators from the Gage County Sheriff’s Office.
Both residents state they had placed checks in the US mail to pay for legitimate debts, however at an unknown point along the route, unknown suspect or suspects had purloined the mailed envelopes, “washed out” the person to be paid and the amount, and then cashed the checks at separate banks out of state.
The Gage County Sheriff’s Office is aware of thefts of this type from throughout Nebraska and have contacted the United States Postal Inspectors, the federal agency that investigates criminal matters for the United States Postal Service and are cooperating with that agency for these investigations.
Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903
Sergeant Tim Hanson #90310
Deputy Jacob Beville #9035