Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives make arrest in Pebble Creek vehicle burglaries thanks to Secret Witness tip

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested one of three suspects in a vehicle burglary crime spree thanks to a Secret Witness tip.

The 16-year-old male was determined by investigators and intelligence analysts from the Northern Nevada Regional Intelligence Center to be the person wearing a red hoodie and unique red shoes in surveillance images taken during a vehicle burglary spree in the early morning hours of July 13, 2021.

In partnership with the Regional Crime Suppression Unit, United States Marshals Service, Jan Evans Juvenile Services, Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division probable cause was established, and the juvenile was arrested by the Regional Gang Unit late Thursday, July 29, 2021.

The juvenile is one of three members of a crew which targeted more than a dozen vehicles in the Pebble Creek neighborhood alone. The crew of three broke windows to access the interior of vehicles, accessed and entered a victim’s garage, stole a semiautomatic handgun, a white 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and numerous credit cards. They then fraudulently used some of the credit cards at businesses in the region.

Intelligence gathered by detectives also links this crew to vehicle burglaries in Curti Ranch and Stead which were also reported on July 13^th to another law enforcement agency.

The 16-year-old is charged with 18 felony counts of Vehicle Burglary; one felony count of Residential Burglary; one felony count of Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle; one felony count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle; one felony count of Grand Larceny of a Firearm; two felony counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card; one felony count of Possession of a Stolen Credit Card; and one gross misdemeanor count of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.

This is an ongoing investigation, as two suspects remain outstanding. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Division at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900. Reference case numbers: WC21-3328 – WC21-3339.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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