Target burglary suspect set for hearing

A Gardnerville Ranchos man faces a half dozen charges in connection with at least three incidents of stealing merchandise from Target.

William Sarmiento, Jr., 41, was charged with felony and misdemeanor charges of theft and burglary in connection with the theft of more than $1,600 items from the store with a woman accomplice.

Deputies were called to the store Jan. 13 because the couple was in the store with her 5- and 10-year-old daughters. They were identified by store security as having taken items on Jan. 6. On Jan. 8, Sarmiento reportedly returned a DVD player without a sales slip and received a gift card in exchange.

A deputy reportedly watched Sarmiento push a cart out of the store without paying. As the deputy approached the suspect in the parking lot, Sarmiento fled on foot.

Witnesses said Sarmiento allegedly was picked up by a Bodie Flats resident. He was arrested in the car after deputies stopped the vehicle on the way to the woman's residence.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl appointed attorney Kris Brown to represent Sarmiento despite the defendant's objection that he had "a sense" about her and wanted a different lawyer.

"You've got vibes? Bad vibes?" EnEarl asked. "You haven't even talked to her."

EnEarl refused to give Sarmiento a different lawyer and told the suspect he was fortunate to have someone of Brown's qualifications.

"I have known her for 20 years," EnEarl said. "You need to consider yourself fortunate to have somebody of her caliber."

He set Sarmiento's next appearance for Jan. 27.

Sarmiento is in Douglas County Jail on $90,500 bail.