(Grand Island, Neb.)- An investigation into a murder for hire plot led to the arrest of two men on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Murder.
On Friday, Feb. 26, the Nebraska State Patrol was contacted by the Aurora Police Department reference an Aurora man who had solicited another individual to kill his estranged wife.
The case investigation continued through the weekend and on Monday, Feb. 29, a Nebraska State Patrol undercover investigator made contact with the suspect identified as Robert S. Honken, 32, of Aurora. During the contact, Honken arranged to pay the undercover investigator to kill his estranged wife. He provided the undercover investigator, with a cash deposit for the murder of his estranged wife, with the remainder of the agreed upon price to be paid after the murder was completed.
After completing the deal, Honken who was under surveillance by NSP investigators and the NSP Aviation Support Division drove away. His vehicle was then stopped by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper and he was taken into custody. Honken was lodged in the Hall County Jail on a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Murder.
A second suspect, Derrick Shirley, 30, of Bradshaw was also taken into custody in conjunction with the investigation. Shirley had made a previous arrangement with Honken in which he was also paid cash to kill Honken’s estranged wife.
Shirley was lodged in the Hamilton Jail on a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Murder.