By SCOTT CARLSON
North Platte Post
NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-A North Platte man has been accused of burglarizing a popular local restaurant.
According to North Platte police, officers responded to the report of a burglary at Merrick's Ranch House at around 7:17 a.m. last Thursday.
Officers arrived and found that a window had been broken on the west side of the building and a door was open.
Officers discovered that a cash drawer with around $20 and some alcohol had been stolen.
Additionally, police said the phone line to the business had been cut in order to disable the alarm system.
Police said officers also discovered a footprint near the broken window.
After viewing surveillance video from Taco Johns, officers identified the suspect as Barry Allen, 31.
Officers obtained a search warrant for Allen's residence where Allen and Valerie Soto, 27, were taken into custody.
Police said Soto had a small amount of methamphetamine on her person and was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and obstruction of a police officer.
Police said they located the stolen alcohol along with other evidence connecting Allen to the burglary at Merrick's.
Additionally, officers located tools and equipment that had been stolen from another apartment in the complex. The owner of those items reported that his Chevrolet Silverado had also been stolen. Police said keys to that vehicle were found in Allen's apartment but the vehicle was not recovered.
Allen was arrested and jailed on suspicion of multiple counts of burglary, and possession of burglary tools.
Allen will appear for a preliminary hearing on Thursday.