Sixth suspect tied to Carson City area burglary ring arrested in Reno
A sixth suspect believed to be connected with a burglary ring that spanned over three counties was arrested Wednesday in Reno by Nevada Parole and Probation officers and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, a Carson City sheriff’s lieutenant confirmed.
Drake Van Cleave, 50, is in the Washoe County Jail with four warrants for his arrest, said Carson City Sheriff’s Lt. Brian Humphrey. He had been wanted on various misdemeanor warrants charges related to thefts in the area.
His arrest comes after the Tuesday arrest of Tracey Lock, 40, who 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. Lock told law officers that he was involved in up to 18 burglaries beginning last year.
Van Cleave’s arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into a series of burglaries that began in late summer 2014. The ring was dubbed the “Pillow Case Bandits” by law enforcement investigators tracking the case because the home invasions involved property theft in which items were put into pillow cases that were taken from homes. It is believed the burglaries were committed to support the drug habits of the suspects, law officers have said.
Others arrested on charges related to the burglaries are: Rachel Strull, 28, charged with two counts of felony maintaining a drug house and misdemeanor use and possession of drug and paraphernalia. She has since been released on bail. 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 the 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.
There are other outstanding suspects in the investigation who have not been named, said Humphrey.