Omaha Man With 15 Past Cases Arrested Again for Assaulting Off-Duty Deputy Downtown

OMAHA, NEBRASKA — A 41-year-old homeless man is in custody after allegedly attacking an off-duty Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy working security in downtown Omaha — and investigators say it’s far from his first violent confrontation.

According to law enforcement records reviewed by First Alert 6, the suspect, Chen Vang, has been involved in more than a dozen prior cases involving assaults or aggressive behavior — many of which were dismissed after mental health evaluations found him unfit to stand trial.

Confrontation With Off-Duty Deputy Downtown

The latest incident unfolded near 84th and I Streets when Vang was reportedly rummaging through a trash can outside a downtown convenience store. Deputy Sgt. Tom Flynn, who was on duty as a security officer, said he asked Vang twice to leave the area.

“He became violent and took a swing at me, struck me in the face,” Flynn said. “He stepped back, re-engaged, and charged me, so I had to take him to the ground.”

Flynn said he called for backup after Vang continued to throw punches. Responding officers from the Omaha Police Department subdued Vang, who was unarmed at the time. Flynn sustained minor injuries but was back on duty the next day.

Previous Violent Incidents and Dismissed Charges

Court and police records reveal a troubling pattern of aggression. About eight months prior, Vang allegedly attacked a female security guard who tried to wake him while he was sleeping near a downtown parking garage.

“He grabbed the back of my hair and pulled me to the ground,” said the woman, identified only as Maggie for safety reasons. “He started beating me. I screamed as loud as I could until bystanders stopped him.”

Despite the violent nature of the assault, the charge was dismissed after Vang was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial. Maggie said she was told prosecutors had no legal authority to continue the case once that ruling was made.

Vang was also arrested roughly 18 months earlier for allegedly attacking a Union Pacific worker, but that charge was dismissed as well.

Mental Health and Public Safety Concerns

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said the repeated rulings of mental incompetence have left prosecutors and law enforcement with little leverage to prevent future incidents.

“He has repeatedly been found mentally unfit to stand trial,” Hanson said. “If we don’t have enough behavioral health beds to keep individuals like him off the streets, you’re going to see more violent crime victims.”

Records show 15 separate cases involving Vang, most of which ended in dismissals or hospital referrals.

Deputy Flynn, who was assaulted this week, said he sympathizes with the mental health system’s limitations but emphasized the need to balance compassion with public safety.

“At some point, you have to weigh care and rehabilitation against the good of the public,” Flynn said.

Charges Upgraded to Felony Assault

Vang was initially booked on a misdemeanor charge of assaulting an officer, but the Douglas County Attorney’s Office has since upgraded the charge to a felony. He remains in custody on 10% of a $5,000 bond.

Officials from the Douglas County Board of Mental Health declined to comment, citing confidentiality laws.

Meanwhile, Maggie, the earlier assault victim, says she has left her job in security following her encounter with Vang.

“I felt lucky to be alive after that incident,” she said.

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