Woman gets probation for Target theft

A 44-year-old Silver Springs woman was sentenced Tuesday to probation for trying to steal a shopping cart full of items from Target.

District Judge Dave Gamble sentenced Cheryl Ferrel to 32 months in Nevada State Prison, suspended.

He ordered her to stay out of Target and write a letter of apology for the April 3 incident.

She must continue counseling, and take her medications. She may have no contact with codefendant Linda Hurles.

The two were stopped as they tried to take two shopping carts with nearly $700 in items from the store without paying. Ferrel was riding in a motorized cart.

The stolen property was returned.

She also faces charges in Lyon County for a similar offense that occurred after her Douglas County arrest.

"I realize your life is not a bowl of cherries," Gamble said, "but you have a new grandchild which is pretty neat."

He told Ferrel, who is disabled, when she asks for a ride to town, she should be going to FISH or the food closet. He said relatives living in her house should be working.

"Stealing from people can no longer be an option," Gamble said. "You don't have an excuse to steal."

He warned Ferrel if she comes back to court, she'll go to prison.

She claimed FISH officials "gave me a hard time about giving me food."

"I am not making excuses, what I did was wrong. Period. I apologize for all of this," she said.

Ferrel said she lost her husband and father within a short period, and her daughter became pregnant.

Since she had become regulated on medication, Ferrel said her life was improving.

"I'm not hearing things. I'm not seeing things. I am not doing things I am not supposed to," she said.