Truck owner surprises would-be burglar
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
6/5/2004 12:27 am
Reno police said a truck owner was surprised to find a would-be burglar Thursday night hiding under the trucks front bumper.
The owner was even more surprised, police said, when the suspect pointed an automatic pistol at him and said Im a police officer and Im here to help. The suspect then produced a cloth patch with a star on it.
When the owner approached the suspect, police said the suspect climbed on a new gray mountain bike and rode off. No injuries were reported, and nothing was stolen.
It was later learned the handgun was likely stolen during a vehicle burglary reported earlier in the day between 3:30 and 6:10 p.m. in the 400 block of Plumb Lane. Police said its likely the same person is responsible in both incidents.
The truck owner interrupted the burglary of his vehicle about 7:40 p.m. in the 200 block of East Moana Lane.
The suspect was described as Hispanic, 24, 5-foot 7 inches tall, 160 pounds, dirty and with a thin mustache. He carried a large black backpack and wore an Oakland Raiders shirt and Raiders pendant necklace and black cargo shorts.
Police ask anyone with information to contact detectives at 334-2115 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.