Knox County Sheriff Release Name Of Man Hunt Suspect

The Knox County Sheriff's Department has released the name of the male subject they are currently searching for near Niobrara. 

David Hoffman is in the Niobrara area. Suspect is 5'10" 150lbs Native American male last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. Hoffman has a distinctive tattoo on the front of his neck under his chin.

Hoffman is a  twenty-five year old male of Santee, who is believed to be on the run after escaping from police custody in Niobrara earlier today. According to police, Hoffman was being transported as a prisoner around 2:00 p.m. when he was able to get a deputy sheriff's gun and flee on foot.

According to Knox County Court records, Hoffman was wanted for felony burglary and theft by receiving stolen property after Niobrara Police say he burglarized Terry's Hair Salon in Niobrara on December 19th and made off with $750 in cash and merchandise. 

According to investigative reports from several law enforcement agencies, police believe that Hoffman sold some black gold jewelry to a local woman whose mother knew that the merchandise had been stolen from the the Hair Salon.

Law enforcement officers are heavily armed with dogs and are near a wooded area north of the state yard on the west side of Niobrara.

Officials at Moody Motor in Niobrara have told the Knox County News that they have been instructed to remove all of the keys from their vehicles, lock their doors and stay inside. 

Residents have reported seeing a helicopter circling the area northwest of town.

The State Patrol was escorting children and teachers to their cars upon dismissal from school on Tuesday afternoon. A message over the intercom at the school also advised everyone to stay in their homes for night as the manhunt continues in Niobrara. 

​If you have information on the suspect or know his cell number contact law enforcement.

News Channel Nebraska contributed to this story.

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