Four charged in Reno murder and Carson City robbery spree

By the Reno Police Department
After a comprehensive investigation by detectives from the Reno Police Dept. in conjunction with detectives from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, all four defendants have been charged in the murder of Steven Gale, from the morning of May 9th on California Avenue. In addition they were charged with several other robberies and related crimes in both Carson City and Reno.

This series of crimes started on the evening of May 8th with all the defendants riding around looking for random victims walking along roadways to rob of their valuables. At about 9:30pm they encountered the first victim in the area of Virginia Lake and proceeded to take his personal belongings.

From there, they are believed to have committed a robbery of a man in the Peckham Lane area. This man was robbed of a bottle of beer and an empty wallet. This victim has not come forward yet and police would like to talk with him.

The defendants then travelled over to Carson City where they committed two additional robberies. One was along a busy roadway near Roop St. and the other in a quiet residential neighborhood on Peters Avenue. While in Carson City they attempted to rob another man walking along Carson Street. When this victim took off running, one of the defendants deliberately fired an errant shot at him.

The defendants then returned to Reno where their crime spree continued. At about 12:35am they waited in the shadows for Mr. Gale and his two associates to walk by them. As the victims walked by one of the suspects tried to steal the female victim’s purse. A struggle ensued over the purse and the two male victims went to her aid. During this struggle, one of the other defendants discharged a single round from a handgun, fatally wounding Mr. Gale.

The handgun used in this murder has not been recovered. Detectives have information it may have been given to another individual after the crime. They are asking for that person to voluntarily come forward prior to detectives locating him and possibly charging him for offenses related to this crime.

The loss from these robberies has not all been recovered. Detectives are asking anyone who may have found a handgun, backpack, cellular telephones or empty wallets to please contact their local law enforcement agency and notify either the Reno Police Dept. or the Carson City Sheriff’s Office.

The 13yr old has been transferred to the Washoe County Jail due to this being a Murder charge. He has been identified as Jose CRUZ (date of birth 1-15-98).

Arrested are:
1. SANCHEZ, Jacob; male; 2-24-1990, Reno resident
Open Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon
Robbery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon (3 counts)
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery

2. SANCHEZ, Luis; male; 10-24-1991, Reno resident
Felony Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon
Robbery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon (3 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery

3. RODRIGUEZ-PEREZ, Aurora; female, 6-11-88, Reno resident
Felony Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon
Robbery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon (3 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery

4. CRUZ, Jose; male, 1-15-98), Reno resident
Felony Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon
Robbery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon (3 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery

All are being held on WITHOUT BAIL

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Reno Police Department Robbery/Homicide Unit at 334-2188 (7am-5pm; Mon-Fri) or remain anonymous by calling Secret Witness at 322-4900 any time.

Meanwhile, Reno news stations KOLO Channel 8, KTVN Channel 2 and KRNV Channel 4 report the four were arraigned Thursday in connection to the fatal shooting of Steven Gale and a string of robberies between Reno and Carson City this weekend.