Car burglar sent to prison

A Carson City man who admitted a rash of February car break-ins will serve 16 to 60 months in a Nevada prison.

John Wayne Warren, 28, helped solve 40 to 50 car burglary cases during a confession to Carson City Sheriff's detectives, said his court appointed lawyer Chet Kafchinski.

Warren faced a maximum of 15 years in prison, a sentence that was likely lessened by his cooperation with authorities.

"I did what I did, but it was only five days," he told Judge Michael Griffin, during a plea that included a biblical passage. "Whatever you give me today, it will be OK."

After the charges were tallied, Warren signed a plea agreement, admitting guilt to charges of vehicle burglary and attempted burglary. Another burglary charge was dropped as part of the agreement.

"We consider this a very serious case, especially for the businesses of Carson City," Said Chief Deputy District Attorney Anne Langer.

Deputies linked Warren and his alleged accomplice, Lee Courneya, 31, to between 50 and 70 cases recorded in late January and early February. Several car owners reported thefts of checks, registration and insurance papers, as well as electronics.

Investigators think the papers were used to obtain false identification to cash bad checks.

Prosecution for Courneya, who is believed to be more heavily involved in the crimes, is pending.