Carson City arrests: Vehicle owner calls cops, holds burglary suspect at gunpoint

A 20-year-old Carson City man was arrested early Tuesday morning and faces felony burglary and other charges after a homeowner caught the suspect breaking into his vehicle, holding him at gunpoint until sheriff’s deputies arrived.

Sage Cole Conley was arrested at 2:31 a.m. in 800 block of Alder Street. He also faces misdemeanor charges of possession of stolen property, obstructing an officer and a warrant for contempt of court.

According to the arrest report, deputies were called to the area for a burglary in progress and were advised the vehicle owner was talking with the suspect who was found hiding inside his vehicle.

Dispatch advised the homeowner had a loaded gun and was waiting for deputies. It was learned during the investigation that the homeowner was awakened when a motion detector equipped with a door bell ringer and video surveillance camera alerted him that someone was on the property, according to the arrest report.

A deputy arrived and observed the homeowner standing on the passenger side of the vehicle holding a firearm. He placed the gun on top of the vehicle and placed his hands above his head, the report states.

The officer drew his firearm and approached the vehicle. As the deputy approached, the suspect, Conley, jumped from the passenger side and began running toward the northeast side of the residence, knocking the homeowner to the ground in the process, the arrest report states.

The deputy chased and caught Conley before he could climb over a fence, taking him to the ground. He did not resist arrest and was placed into handcuffs. The suspect stated he did not have any injuries and declined medical attention. Located in his pockets were a knife, flashlight, six $1 bills, a phone, lighter, keys and an empty pouch.

After securing the suspect into the patrol vehicle, the deputy read him his Miranda rights. Conley stated he understood his rights and agreed to speak. He stated he went outside his residence to smoke and began to walk and as he was walking he began thinking about burglarizing a vehicle. He stated he didn’t know anyone in the area of Alder Street.

He identified a house he was interested in and the features of the home. He told the officer that once he saw the vehicle he got an “adrenaline rush” and began to walk toward it, passing the front door of the residence. He stated he found the passenger side door of the vehicle unlocked and entered the vehicle, according to the arrest report.

He stated he was inside the vehicle for approximately 30 seconds when he saw the homeowner exit the house with a firearm. He stated he curled up, made himself “small” and hid on the passenger side floorboard of the vehicle. He stated the homeowner then opened the door and pointed the gun at him.

He told the deputy when he saw patrol car lights it scared him “10 times” worse and stated that is why he ran. He stated the six dollars he had on him was found in the ashtray of the vehicle. He stated he found a firearm underneath the passenger side seat and stated if he had not been caught he would have taken the firearm. He also told the deputy he has burglarized multiple vehicles in California and Nevada and has never been caught.

While transporting the suspect, another deputy advised that he located a suspicious Honda moped parked on Center Street, around the corner from the victim’s residence. Keys located in the man’s pockets fit the ignition of the moped, which was then towed. Bail: $21,549.

In other arrests:
— A 25-year-old transient was arrested Monday, 7:15 a.m. in the area of Lone Mountain and Sage Street for a misdemeanor failure to appear warrant. Bail: $445.

— A 21-year-old Carson City man, Jacob Andrew Watts, was arrested Monday, 1:45 p.m. in the area of Russett Way and Jeanell Drive for a felony probation violation warrant and a gross misdemeanor warrant for carrying a concealed weapon.

According to the arrest report, a deputy made contact with the man after seeing him and knowing he was wanted.

Watts is under the supervision of Nevada State Parole and Probation. A no-bail hold was placed on the man due to the warrant charges. Bail will be set in lieu of a hearing.

— A 28-year-old Carson City man was arrested Monday, 4:25 p.m. in the area of Highway 50 and Airport Road for two misdemeanor warrants: failure to appear in traffic court and contempt of court, both issued out of Carson City Justice Court earlier this year and a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bail: $1,707. A 24-year-old woman with him was also arrested on two failure to appear traffic warrants. Bail: $330.

All information for the crime log (unless otherwise noted) comes from the arrest reports supplied by the Carson City Sheriff's Office, and is considered by law to be public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The policy of Carson Now is to name anyone who is arrested for a felony offense.