SIDNEY, Neb. - The Sidney Police Department arrested two individuals Wednesday after witnesses saw them steal a pair of packages from a residence on 4th Street. Maria Campa, 38, of Sidney, and Ronald Hopkins, 47, of Iliff, Colorado, were seen by a resident from another house in the area taking two packages off the porch that afternoon. 

As stated in the application and affidavit for arrest warrant for Campa, the witness described a white SUV with Colorado license plates pulling in front of the residence. A male, later identified as Hopkins, jumped out of the front passenger seat, and took two packages. He then re-entered the vehicle and the driver, alleged to be Campa, proceeded West on Cedar Street. 

A Sergeant with the Sidney Police Department knew from previous experience that Campa is known to drive a white SUV with Colorado plates. After arriving at her residence on Ash Street in Sidney, the officer located Hopkins standing outside the vehicle. He informed the policeman that he had just returned from the grocery store with Campa in her vehicle. As they were talking, dispatch informed the officer that two open and empty boxes were located in the grass at Northside Park. Both were addressed to the resident who lives at the affected location on 4th Street. 

Hopkins was then placed under arrest for Theft by Unlawful Taking - $0-$500. He informed Police that Campa was inside her apartment, however attempts to contact her were unsuccessful. One of the boxes contained meal kits from a food delivery service, valued at $40, and the other had adult wipes from Medicaid, valued at $10. Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens encourages all residents to make sure they have packages delivered to a secure place, especially during the holiday season. 

Hopkins pleaded guilty to his Class 2 Misdemeanor charge in Cheyenne County Court Thursday, and was sentenced to two days in Jail. This offense follows two previous incidents where he pleaded guilty: Possession of a Controlled Substance - Meth in 2015, and another Theft by Unlawful Taking charge after shoplifting several items from Walmart totaling less than $1,500 in 2016. Hopkins was sentenced to 90 Days in Jail both instances. 

Campa is also facing a Class 4 felony for being an Accessory to a Class 3 or 3A felony. According to Court documents, she provided a means of effecting escape to Carlos Zamora who was found to have outstanding warrants in Colorado. A Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for December 23. 

The 38-year-old woman is still in the Court system awaiting re-sentencing on Violation of a Custody Order, a Class 4 felony, stemming from a separate incident in July 2018. As the affidavit reads, Campa gave birth to a baby girl on May 30, 2018, and tested positive for methamphetamine. An initial urine sample came back negative, however police were able to determine the sample was given by Campa’s 14-year-old daughter. A follow up sample tested positive. 

The newborn was removed from the family in early July and placed with Human Health Services. Campa agreed to continued drug testing, increased family support, and completing a mental status exam, but failed four meth tests between July 8-15. After agreeing to a Plea deal later in the year, she was found guilty of violating the custody order and placed on 24 months probation. 

On May 16, 2019, Campa was found in violation of probation after being charged with Theft - Shoplifting, a Class 2 Misdemeanor, failing to report for drug testing on 10 occasions, and failing to obtain a substance abuse evaluation as directed. Her probation was revoked despite her denying the violations. Cheyenne County Court found in August that Campa was in violation of her agreed upon bond, and a re-sentencing was ordered for the original charge of violating the custody order. The case has been continued three times, December 5 being the latest, until after the Motion to Terminate Parental Rights filed in Cheyenne County Juvenile Court case has been determined.

- Dewayne Cook