By Jeff Munson
A fifth arrest was made late Tuesday night in connection with a burglary ring that extended over three counties and involved several home invasions that began as far back as this summer, a Carson City sheriff’s lieutenant said.
Tracey Lock, 40, was booked into custody at the Carson City Sheriff’s Office on felony burglary and drug charges as part of the ongoing investigation involving Carson City, Washoe and Douglas county law enforcement agencies, said Lt. Brian Humphrey. His bail has been set at $100,000. Others are being sought for questioning.
“We are still actively looking for several suspects,” said Lt. Humphrey.
Lock had been sought as a person of interest in the rash of burglaries that investigators dubbed “The Pillow Case Bandits” because most of the home invasions involved property theft in which items were put into pillow cases from the residences. It is believed that the burglaries were committed to support the drug habits of the suspects, law officers have said.
The case began to unfold Feb. 12-13 around Carson City with the arrests of four suspects in various locations, on Thursday and Friday.
Lock also faces other charges including possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house. He had been staying at a Corbett Street apartment with suspect Rachel Strull, 28, who was arrested as part of the ring and who has since been released on bail.
After waiving his Miranda rights, Lock told detectives Tuesday that he has a severe gambling and methamphetamine addiction and had been committing burglaries to fund both of his habits. He admitted to committing approximately 18 burglaries in Carson City, Douglas and Washoe counties, the arrest report states.
He recalled a particular burglary on Oct. 28, 2014 located in the 1800 block of West Winnie Lane in which he admitted to stealing a large amount of jewelry, coins and two firearms.
During the investigation, suspect Drake Van Cleave, who remains at large, was found with some of the property and attempted to sell some of the items and was later arrested. Lock admitted to storing some of the items in Van Cleave’s motel room. Lock then admitted to burglarizing other residences. See the arrest report below.
Others arrested on charges related to the burglaries were Crystal Bullock (Paetz), 31, charged with possession of a control substance, child neglect and endangerment; Travis Lieberwirth, who is charged with possession of stolen property and conspiracy to possess stolen property and Brian Madson, 34, charged with felony attempted burglary and possession of stolen property.
The investigation into this burglary ring is ongoing and active, said Humphrey. In the coming days, agencies from the three counties will contact victims of the burglaries so they may be able to look at some of the stolen property that has been recovered.
Among the suspects at large is Drake Van Cleave, pictured in the second photo. If you have seen him call Carson City Dispatch at (775) 887-2014. Also, Secret Witness will pay cash for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Call Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
lock_pc_sheet.pdf by Carson Now
