Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Local man arrested for child enticement

On Tuesday Sept. 12, Officer Michael Winget of the Kimball Police Department was dispatched near Fourth St. in reference to an individual who was potentially molesting children at City Park.

According to the arrest affidavit, Officer Winget contacted the reporting party who said suspect, Gary Hart, of Kimball had been at City Park and was bothering children playing there. The officer was then advised to speak with a juvenile who was distraught by the contact.

The juvenile reported that while playing at the park with other children, Hart began pushing the juvenile on the swing.

According to the affidavit, the juvenile reported that Hart was not asked to push the swing, nor did the juvenile want him to. After the juvenile asked Hart to stop and then got off of the swing set, Hart asked the juvenile to go on a bike ride.

The juvenile refused to join Hart on a bike ride.

The juvenile reported to Winget that another adult made contact with them and spoke with Hart, after which Hart left the park.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. Chief Bremer and Deputy Osborn were advised that Hart was located on Myrtle St. They responded to the address and placed Hart in handcuffs. Hart was arrested and booked into the Kimball County Sheriff’s Office Jail for Child Enticement which is a class IIIA Felony in the State of Nebraska.