Sting nets two suspected car thieves

Investigators hope the early morning arrest of two men Monday will put a stop to a recent rash of car thefts plaguing Carson City.

Thomas Thornhill, 26, and Tracer Harmon, 23, both of Carson City, were arrested after they allegedly tried to make off with a 1990 Honda Accord police were using as a decoy car.

According to the arrest report, the disabled Honda was under surveillance since 7 p.m. Sunday in the 3200 block of Imperial Way in northeast Carson City.

About 2:30 a.m. Monday a deputy assigned to watch the car said he witnessed Harmon and Thornhill unlock the vehicle and attempt to start it.

Deputies immediately arrested the men.

Police recovered a set of keys for various models of cars, gloves, flashlights, screwdrivers and car titles.

Thornhill allegedly had a bag containing checks and identification reported stolen in car burglaries.

Inside his van parked nearby, police found several car stereos, and duffle bags - all items believed to have been stolen in car burglaries in recent weeks, said Sgt. Bob White. He said more evidence incriminating the two in the crimes was found at Thornhill's Poole Street address.

"Approximately 20 vehicles have been reported stolen in the last month," he said.

White said a majority of those vehicles have been recovered in places like Goni, Voltaire and Brunswick canyons. Police suspect the cars were taken for their contents, not their parts.

"Some had stereos stolen, some had wheels stolen. All kinds of different things were missing from the cars when we found them," he said. "These guys will be connected to quite a few thefts and burglaries."

Thornhill is being held on suspicion of felony grand larceny, possession of a forged instrument, gross misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of burglary tools, and misdemeanor possession of stolen property. Bail is set at $25,000.

Harmon is being held on suspicion of felony grand larceny, possession of burglary tools and probation violation. No bail is set.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.