Four people appeared in East Fork Justice Court on Wednesday in connection with a burglary at a Carson Valley Plaza shoe store.
Douglas County authorities believe five people stopped in a vehicle behind Carson Valley Plaza were involved in a retail theft ring.
With one man still at large, four of the vehicle’s occupants arrested on Monday appeared in East Fork Justice Court this morning.
Manuel Parra-Lopez, 24, Rosario Quinonez-Garcia, 44, Gerson Arango, 31, and Jenifer Lara-Vasquez, 27, were arrested and linked to numerous charges that include possession of drug paraphernalia, burglary of a business, conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, possession of controlled substance and possession of stolen property.
Parra-Lopez fled on foot and was charged with resisting and obstructing a police officer.
Bail was set at $3,000 bondable or $350 cash for Quinonez-Garcia. The rest had bail set at $1,000 bond or $150 cash. Parra-Lopez and Arango have an immigration hold.
“All of these individuals are part of an organized theft ring,” said Sheriff Dan Coverley. “They came to Douglas County for the express purpose of stealing from our businesses.”
During a bail hearing, a prosecutor argued that the four were using walkie-talkies to communicate during the theft.
All four indicated to East Fork Justice of the Peace Laurie Trotter they lived in Washoe County. None said they were employed. Two of the defendants required an interpreter.
A Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy was alerted to a suspicious vehicle involved in a theft from Famous Footwear at around 4:10 p.m. Monday.
After a traffic stop on Vista Grande Boulevard behind the center, two occupants out of five in the vehicle took off onto Washoe Tribal Land while three remained in place.
“Deputies, with the assistance of Washoe Tribal Police, were able to locate one of the subjects who fled on foot utilizing a drone and a K-9,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. “One subject is still outstanding, and his identity is unknown.”
The Nevada Highway Patrol and the Carson City Sheriff’s Office also supported the incident with perimeter control.
“I am extremely proud of my deputies for catching these individuals and recovering the stolen property,” Coverley said. “I am confident that the one individual who got away will be identified and arrested. I want to thank the Washoe Tribal Police for their assistance with this case and for being a great partner, along with the Nevada Highway Patrol and the Carson City Sheriff’s Office.”