Neb. bartender may have faked assault, theft

Regional News

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) _ A 27-year-old bartender is suspected of cracking himself over the head with a beer bottle and reporting a fake robbery. According to the Platte County Sheriff's office, Justin Walker of Shelby reported that an unknown suspect entered the Columbus bar and knocked him unconscious early Wednesday morning. Rescue workers examined him, but Sheriff Jon Zavadil says the bartender only had a nick on his head. Zavadil says further investigation revealed that Walker falsely reported the robbery, smashed the bottle on his head and made up the story to try to conceal his own theft. He was cited and released. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP-03-14-09 1259CDT<