Authorities arrested a 51-year-old man after a multistate search ended at a restaurant in Nebraska.
OMAHA, Neb. — An 8-year-old Iowa boy reported missing Sunday morning was found safe several hours later inside a McDonald’s in Omaha, where police arrested a 51-year-old man who was the subject of a nationwide kidnapping warrant.
Authorities said the search began in western Iowa and quickly expanded into Nebraska after investigators determined the child and suspect may have crossed state lines. The recovery ended a rapidly developing case that prompted an Endangered Person Advisory and drew the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies. The child was found unharmed, while the suspect was taken into custody and booked into jail pending further court proceedings related to the warrant.
The case centered on Dane Coffman, an 8-year-old boy from Iowa who was reported missing early Sunday. Investigators said Coffman was believed to be traveling with Garry Ray McBreen, 51, prompting authorities to issue a public alert and begin a coordinated search. Officials described Coffman as having blond hair and blue eyes and standing about 4 feet tall. McBreen was described as approximately 6 feet tall and weighing about 185 pounds. As investigators worked to determine their location, information about a vehicle connected to the case circulated among agencies in Iowa and Nebraska. Authorities initially examined reports involving more than one vehicle before focusing on a silver 2009 Dodge Journey. The search intensified after investigators concluded the situation had crossed state boundaries and a kidnapping warrant had been issued. Law enforcement agencies distributed updated vehicle information throughout the morning as the search expanded beyond Iowa.
According to Omaha police, officers received information around 11:30 a.m. indicating that the child and the suspect could be located at a McDonald’s near 84th Street and Papillion Parkway. Omaha police officers and Nebraska State Patrol troopers responded to the area and located the vehicle connected to the investigation. Authorities said Coffman was recovered safely and McBreen was arrested without incident. McBreen was transported to Douglas County Corrections following the arrest. Officials have released few details about the events that led to the disappearance. Investigators have not publicly disclosed the relationship between Coffman and McBreen, nor have they explained how authorities ultimately identified the Omaha location. Police also have not said whether tips from the public contributed to the recovery or whether surveillance, technology or investigative work led officers to the restaurant. Beyond confirming the child was found safely, authorities have provided little information about his condition following the recovery.
The incident underscored how quickly missing-child investigations can develop when multiple agencies coordinate across jurisdictions. Shelby County, Iowa, where the search originated, is located roughly 50 miles northeast of Omaha. That relatively short distance allowed investigators in both states to share information and respond rapidly as new evidence emerged. Endangered Person Advisories are designed to alert law enforcement agencies and the public when a child or vulnerable individual may be at risk. In this case, the advisory remained active for only a matter of hours before authorities announced a successful recovery. While officials have not explained the circumstances that led to the child being reported missing, the quick resolution prevented what could have become a much longer regional search. The case also demonstrated the role of interstate cooperation in investigations involving children, vehicles and suspects who may move across state lines within a short period of time.
Attention is now shifting from the search to the legal proceedings surrounding McBreen’s arrest. Authorities said a nationwide kidnapping warrant had already been issued before officers located him in Omaha. McBreen remained in custody following the arrest, and court proceedings are expected to determine how the warrant will be handled and whether extradition or transfer arrangements will be necessary. Officials had not announced additional charges as of Sunday, and it was not immediately known whether McBreen had retained legal counsel. Investigators in Iowa and Nebraska continue to gather evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the advisory and subsequent arrest. Additional details may emerge through court filings, booking records and future statements from law enforcement agencies overseeing the case. Officials also have not announced whether any additional individuals could face scrutiny as investigators continue reviewing evidence connected to the disappearance.
The search generated concern throughout the region as law enforcement agencies urged the public to watch for the child, the suspect and the vehicle believed to be involved. For several hours, families, community members and officers followed developments as the advisory spread across state lines. Relief came shortly after noon when authorities confirmed the child had been located safely. Officials said the arrest occurred without reported injuries to officers, the child or members of the public. The recovery transformed what had been an active missing-child search into a criminal investigation focused on documenting evidence and preparing for court proceedings. Authorities have not released information about what occurred immediately before the arrest or whether the child was aware that officers were closing in on the vehicle. Investigators continue working to answer those questions as the case moves forward.
The child remains safe, and the suspect remains in custody as investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the case. Future court hearings, charging decisions and official records are expected to provide additional details in the days ahead.
Author note: Last updated June 1, 2026.