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Carson City arrests: Suspect accused of stealing, cashing checks also found with fake $20 bills

A 35-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 23 for suspicion of felony obtaining money under false pretenses, forgery and possessing fake $20 bills after allegedly stealing checks and a credit card from a victim, and cashing one of the checks, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

Valerie Dawn Walker of Carson City was taken into custody following an investigation into the crimes. She was booked for three felony offenses: Suspicion of forgery, receiving or possessing forged instrument, obtaining money under false pretenses and possessing, receiving forged instrument/bills.

According to the booking report, deputies were alerted to a report of a female who had stolen checks in her possession and was attempting to cash them from the victim's account. Deputies arrived at a credit union and learned the suspect came in to make a large non-member check cashing.

Deputies learned of the details of what happened, and were advised that all bank branches earlier were alerted that the suspect had passed a check belonging to another person, the report states.

Investigating deputies learned that one of the victim's had checks stolen from their home and one had been cashed for $2,500, according to the arrest report.

Deputies located the suspect, Walker, riding a bicycle near Koontz Lane and informed her that she fit the description of a woman who had earlier tried to cash a stolen check. The suspect stated it wasn't her. But when a deputy showed her a picture of her from the investigation, she stated she was the person in the photo, the arrest report states.

During a search of the suspect, deputies found two more checks belonging to the victim, with one of the checks made out for $1,500 to her and signed. The suspect also had a VISA card belonging to a victim, the report states.

Walker was read her Miranda warning and agreed to speak. She stated she had cashed the check at a credit union and had attempt to cash a second check that night. She also stated the other stolen checks and the stolen VISA card was provided to her by her boyfriend, according to the report.

The woman was booked for the alleged felony offenses. During intake, four counterfeit $20 bills were located in the woman's backpack. Bail: $45,000.

In other arrests:
— A 23-year-old woman was arrested Nov. 23 for suspicion of attempted vehicle burglary, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office report.

Sarah Martin, hometown not listed, was also arrested for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and using an ID of another person to avoid prosecution.

The suspect was seen by witnesses and in surveillance video entering a vehicle parked in a parking lot in the 3200 block of Market Street. The suspect was seen rifling through items.

During the investigation the victim vehicle owner was later contacted and advised the suspect had been in their vehicle and asked if anything was missing. The report did not state anything was missing. The victim wished to pursue criminal charges for attempted vehicle burglary, the report states.

The suspect was arrested. During intake search, a deputy took possession of a bag where methamphetamine was found. Bail: $32,500.

— A 72-year-old man was arrested Nov. 25 in the 500 block of Country Village Drive for suspicion of two misdemeanor counts discharging a firearm where persons might be endangered. Bail: $5,000.

— A 33-year-old Carson City man was arrested Nov. 25 for a gross misdemeanor warrant alleging inuring/tampering with a motor vehicle. Bail: $2,000.

— A 48-year-old man was arrested Nov. 23 for suspicion of gross misdemeanor indecent or obscene exposure. The man is accused of exposing himself and masturbating in front of hospital staff. Bail: $2,500.

— A 55-year-old woman was arrested Nov. 24, 1226 p.m. for suspicion of obstructing. Bail: $412.

— A 28-year-old Carson City woman was arrested Sunday for suspicion of DUI, driving on an expired license, failure to obey traffic control device and driving with a headlamp out.

According to the arrest report a deputy made a traffic stop after observing a vehicle without its driver's side headlamp on while driving at night.

The deputy made contact with the driver, who had watery eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol coming from their person. Dispatch advised the driver's license was expired. The suspect agreed to standardized field sobriety tests and showed signs of impairment on the tests. She was arrested for suspicion of DUI and denied voluntary evidence of blood or breath tests, the booking report states.

A Carson City judge approved a telephonic search warrant for a blood draw. Bail: $1,551.

— A 55-year-old Carson City man was arrested Nov. 26 for suspicion of misdemeanor DUI. According to the arrest report, a deputy made a traffic stop after dispatch advised of a report of an intoxicated driver, swerving and nearly hitting the curb and another vehicle.

Officers arrived observed the suspect, who exited the vehicle and walked toward a store. The man showed signs that he was drinking and had a moderate odor of alcohol on his breath. He agreed to standardized field sobriety tests and showed signs of impairment on the tests. He provided a preliminary breath test of .227 and was arrested for suspicion of DUI. At jail he provided evidentiary breath samples of .187 and .184. Bail: $1,132.

— A 32-year-old man was arrested early Monday for a misdemeanor contempt of court warrant issued Nov. 21, 2022 out of Carson City Justice Court. Bail: $430 cash.

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.

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UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Update 05-03-24 at 1:15 p.m.
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Carson High School was put on lockdown this afternoon around 12:15 p.m. No person was injured. There is an active situation being investigated in cooperation with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. We will provide more information as it becomes known. The school is secure. Do not go to the school. No entrances will be permitted at time. The district will provide updates every 30 minutes. Expect the next update at 1:15 p.m.

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