Bail $100K in Westroads incident

She's not accused of shoplifting that much — less than $200 worth of Old Navy merchandise, prosecutors say.

But what Shantae Veland is accused of doing afterward leaves her facing significant prison time.

Veland, 31, is charged with second-degree felony assault and second-degree felony assault on an officer, as well as felony shoplifting, in connection with a Saturday night incident at Westroads Mall.

If convicted on all counts, she could face up to 75 years in prison.

Trying to flee from a security officer and an off-duty Omaha police officer, prosecutors say, Veland backed up the car she was driving. The car slammed the security officer, Jacob Nordstrom, into a wall and knocked Police Officer Bryan Miller to the ground.

As the car backed toward Miller, 24, he opened fire, striking Veland twice.
Both Miller and Veland were taken to Creighton University Medical Center. Miller, who suffered a concussion, was released Sunday. Veland was released Monday afternoon.

Nordstrom, 20, suffered arm and shoulder pain, prosecutors said, but was not hospitalized.

At least two dozen police officers swarmed to the scene in the moments after the Saturday evening incident, which occurred about 7:05 p.m.

Police later said the emergency call came in as “shots fired” and “officer down,” and that turned into a “help an officer” call, which means any officer on duty can respond.

Westroads did not close. But some shoppers inside part of the mall were not allowed to leave immediately after the incident. Police also limited access to the south end of the mall.

Veland appeared Friday in the Douglas County Jail courtroom, where Douglas County Judge Lyn White set bail at $100,000. Veland must pay 10 percent of that, or $10,000, to be released.

The parents of Veland's friend, Lanisha Maxwell, said this week that Maxwell, 20, and Veland had gone to shop at the mall Saturday evening. They said their daughter didn't know Veland was planning to shoplift items, but a police report says Maxwell told officers she stole shirts and two pairs of pants from Old Navy.

Police reports state that Maxwell struck another security officer, Daniel Holcomb, as he tried to detain her. Maxwell was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and third-degree assault, both misdemeanors. She has been released from jail.
Veland has been jailed three times for shoplifting and once for forgery.

A preliminary hearing for Veland has been set for later this month.

Contact the writer:
444-1109, bob.glissmann@owh.com

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