Teen couple faces more charges in burglary

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A 19-year-old Army military policeman and his wife face additional charges in a series of burglaries at a martial arts studio reportedly committed while the soldier was home on leave.

Matthew and Amanda Golden waived preliminary hearings Oct. 29 and are to appear before District Judge Dave Gamble on Nov. 17.

Matthew Golden, an Army private stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, is charged with three counts of principal to burglary, attempted burglary and two counts of grand larceny.

Amanda Golden, also 19, is charged with burglary, attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools.

They are in custody in Douglas County Jail.

Matthew Golden's lawyer, Tod Young, said his client's commanding officer was aware of the arrest, but the Army had not placed a hold on him.

According to the criminal complaint, Matthew Golden and an individual identified as "A.W." broke into Northwest Martial Arts between Oct. 3-5 and took cash, credit cards and checks worth $5,500.

He allegedly returned Oct. 13-15 with Amanda and she took at least $400 in cash.

According to the complaint, Matthew Golden drove Amanda to the Gardnerville studio and waited in a car while she pried open a door with a credit card or a knife.

On Oct. 15, the owner of the studio, believing the burglars would strike again, was at the facility and detained the suspect until deputies arrived.

The owner told authorities he heard the door rattle, so he called 911 and found the woman outside. He said while they were waiting for deputies, her husband reportedly called her on her cell phone.

Officers found a 2-inch knife in the sleeve of her sweatshirt that matched pry marks on the door. They also found a cigarette outside the building that matched Matthew Golden's brand.

Amanda Golden called her mother from jail, admitted the attempted break-in, and told her that Matthew drove away when the deputies arrived and stranded her in the parking lot, according to tapes from the jail's telephone system.

He was arrested and reportedly admitted the burglaries were his idea and that he drove the getaway car in previous burglaries, according to investigators.

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