Citizens assist Douglas County deputies after Walmart burglary

Two Reno residents have been arrested on multiple charges, and a warrant will be issued for a third after the Gardnerville Walmart shoplifting incident turned into a lot more.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on February 17, 2018, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) responded to the Walmart after three people were seen leaving the store with cameras and camera equipment inside a gray plastic tote. They were seen leaving in a gray KIA with Nevada plates driven by a female.

Eight minutes later a deputy saw a gray KIA with three occupants traveling northbound on Highway 395 at Cradlebaugh Bridge in Minden and initiated a traffic stop near Silver City RV Park.

The deputy observed the male rear passenger attempt to hide in the vehicle as he approached, and the deputy opened the door to investigate as other deputies responded to assist. The rear male passenger exited the vehicle and a struggle ensued between the deputy and the suspect in the number two lane of Highway 395. One citizen stopped to assist the deputy fighting with the suspect. He was pushed by the suspect and received a minor cut to his hand.

When the suspect was able to, he ran northbound on the shoulder and the deputy deployed his Taser. The suspect fell to the ground, and three other citizens stopped to assist the deputy who placed the suspect into handcuffs.

Paramedics were called and the suspect, who fought with the deputy, was transported to the hospital for removal of the Taser probes. A warrant will be issued for him at a later time for the charges of Battery on a Peace Officer, and Obstruction of a Peace Officer.

The remaining occupants of the vehicle were arrested after a search warrant was obtained, and several items of property from Walmart were recovered, including five cameras, a handy cam, a Go Pro camera, and clothing. An employee of Walmart responded to the scene and identified the suspects and the stolen property, which was valued at $3509. Inside the vehicle deputies located a set of hand held radios that had been powered on, and drug paraphernalia.

The Walmart employee was aware of these suspects being involved in four past thefts at various Walmarts in the jurisdictions of Fallon Police and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.

Stephanie Chapa and Clarence Garcia, both age 35 and from Reno, were arrested and charged with Burglary, Grand Larceny, Principal to a Felony, Possession of an Instrument with Burglarious Intent, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

"One cannot predict anything in these situations, but DCSO is grateful to the citizens who stopped and demonstrated valor and heroism by assisting the deputy on Highway 395 near Silver City RV Park last Saturday," said DCSO in a press release.

The following is a message from DCSO:

Physical confrontations with law enforcement happen every day, most suspects are just trying to get away from being arrested, and a few want to hurt or kill law enforcement. Witnessing these events can be traumatic, and someone who sees a physical confrontation should ask themselves, is this life threatening struggle? Should I get involved? DCSO is grateful to the citizens who jumped into action and got involved and assisted the deputy. In other communities, a passerby would only take out their cell phone and begin recording, but not in Douglas County. We have a law enforcement supportive community.

There are so many fluid events going on during a confrontation, but we offer some, but not all thoughts, if you witness such an event in the future.

If approaching a physical confrontation and you decide he needs assistance, yell out from a distance to the police officer “Do you need help? What can I do? If you are a CCW holder and you have your weapon. Do not have your weapon visible. Yell to the officer that you are a CCW holder. You may have to repeat it several times because the officer is so focused on the threat. If he answers you, follow his directions. The instructions may be simply to stop traffic, or something more involved.

Nevada has many concealed carry permit owners and bringing a gun openly to a physical confrontation involving a peace officer will probably get you shot. The deputy does not know if you are a good guy or a bad guy, but if you have a gun out of the holster, you will be perceived as another threat to him. Add to the fact that most likely other deputies are responding to assist and when they arrive they will see you with a gun standing over their partner. Do not have your gun out if you are a CCW holder and decide to assist law enforcement. Wait for instructions.