STANTON, Neb. (KTIV) -
Authorities say an Indiana murder suspect's vehicle was found hundreds of miles away, in Nebraska.
About six weeks ago, the Stanton County Nebraska Sheriff's Office got a call from the police department in New Albany, Indiana. They had a strange request.
"To forensically process a vehicle that they believe had been involved in a homicide," said Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger.
New Albany police told Unger the vehicle was registered in his county. Turns out it's owned by a middle-aged couple who were totally unaware of it's possible involvement in a murder.
"Some shock, but, I think they knew that it was fairly important, or authorities wouldn't have come all the way from Indiana," said Unger.
It's about 800 miles. Indiana authorities drove over to search the vehicle Tuesday. Officials were looking for a connection to suspected killer William Clyde Gibson. He's charged with murdering three women in Floyd County, Indiana. Authorities think he may have used the Stanton vehicle in '02 to dispose of a body.
The search for evidence took about four to five hours. Officials were looking for things like blood even semen.
Authorities won't confirm anything, but this black pickup could be the vehicle. Criscelda Merino snapped a picture of it as it was searched. A surprise to see when she came into work.
"I was just like, "Why are there so many cop cars'," she said.
Sheriff Unger says the vehicle took quite a trip to make it to Stanton County. It was first stolen in '02 from a Louisville, Kentucky dealership. He says Gibson was caught with it.
"But at that time there was no connection to any unsolved homicides," said Unger.
So, the vehicle was sent back to the Louisville dealer, where it changed hands a few times, ending up with the Stanton Couny couple, who bought it in Kansas.
All in all, an odd case for Unger.
"It's not everyday you have any involvement in any homicide, let alone one of this nature," he said.
The couple in Stanton County had their vehicle returned Tuesday. Officials say they found some "positive indications" during their search. They'll wait for further analysis from the Indiana State Crime Lab.
Gibson, by the way, faces the death penalty and is awaiting trial.
