A nationwide kidnapping warrant led authorities to an Omaha restaurant where an 8-year-old child was recovered safely.
OMAHA, Neb. — An 8-year-old Iowa boy reported missing early Sunday was found safe several hours later at a McDonald’s in Omaha, where police and Nebraska State Patrol troopers arrested a 51-year-old man who was the subject of a nationwide kidnapping warrant.
The case unfolded rapidly across state lines after Iowa authorities reported that Dane Coffman had disappeared and was believed to be traveling with Garry Ray McBreen. Law enforcement agencies in Iowa and Nebraska coordinated a search that ended before midday when officers located both individuals at an Omaha restaurant. The child was recovered safely, while McBreen was taken into custody and booked into jail pending further legal proceedings connected to the warrant.
Authorities said the search began in Shelby County, Iowa, on the morning of May 31. Investigators reported that Coffman had last been seen with McBreen, prompting officials to issue an Endangered Person Advisory. The alert described Coffman as an 8-year-old boy with blond hair and blue eyes, standing about 4 feet tall and weighing approximately 80 pounds. McBreen was described as 6 feet tall, weighing about 185 pounds, with green eyes. As information developed, investigators tracked a silver vehicle believed to be connected to the case. Officials initially circulated information about more than one possible vehicle before focusing on a silver 2009 Dodge Journey. The advisory quickly gained urgency as authorities determined the search had crossed state lines and a kidnapping warrant had been issued. Iowa officials later canceled the advisory after the child was located. In a public update, state authorities confirmed that the boy had been found and the active search had ended.
According to Omaha police, officers received information around 11:30 a.m. that the child and the suspect were inside a vehicle at a McDonald’s near 84th Street and Papillion Parkway. Multiple Omaha police officers responded alongside Nebraska State Patrol troopers. Authorities said they located the vehicle at the restaurant and safely recovered the child. McBreen was arrested without incident and transported to Douglas County Corrections. Officials have not publicly disclosed the relationship between Coffman and McBreen, nor have they explained what circumstances led investigators to identify the Omaha location. Law enforcement also has not released details about where the child was last seen before the alert was issued or whether any witnesses played a role in locating the vehicle. Beyond confirming that Coffman was found safe, authorities have released little information about his condition or whether he required medical evaluation after being recovered.
The incident highlighted the speed with which modern missing-child investigations can move when multiple agencies coordinate efforts. Shelby County lies in western Iowa, and Harlan, where the advisory originated, is roughly 50 miles northeast of Omaha. Because the suspected travel route crossed state boundaries, investigators from different jurisdictions worked simultaneously to distribute vehicle information, issue alerts and coordinate response efforts. Missing-child advisories are designed to provide law enforcement agencies and the public with descriptions that can help locate endangered individuals quickly. In this case, the advisory remained active only several hours before authorities announced a successful recovery. While officials have not described the underlying circumstances of the disappearance, the rapid resolution prevented what could have become a prolonged interstate search. Investigators have continued to gather information as they determine exactly what occurred before the child was reported missing.
Attention now shifts to the legal process surrounding McBreen’s arrest. Authorities said a nationwide kidnapping warrant had been issued before officers located him in Omaha. McBreen remained in custody in Douglas County following the arrest. Court proceedings are expected to address the warrant as well as any extradition or transfer arrangements involving Iowa authorities. Officials had not announced additional charges as of Sunday, and it was not immediately clear whether McBreen had retained legal representation. Investigators also had not announced any additional arrests connected to the case. Law enforcement agencies in both states are expected to continue reviewing evidence and documenting the sequence of events that led to the alert. Additional information may emerge through court filings, booking records and future statements from investigators overseeing the case.
The recovery brought relief after a tense morning in which authorities asked the public and law enforcement agencies across the region to watch for the missing child and the suspect vehicle. The search drew resources from multiple departments and required coordination across jurisdictional lines. By the time officers converged on the Omaha restaurant, investigators had narrowed the search to a specific location and were able to intervene without any reported injuries. Officials have not described what occurred during the arrest beyond stating that it was completed without incident. Community members following the advisory learned shortly after noon that the situation had shifted from an active search to a recovery operation. For investigators, the focus now moves from locating the child to documenting evidence and preparing the case for the next phase of judicial review.
The child has been located safely, and the suspect remains in custody. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, with future court proceedings and the release of official records expected to provide additional details in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated June 1, 2026.