Proceeding delayed for burglary suspect

Proceedings were continued to Nov. 9 for a 39-year-old Stateline man charged with attempted burglary in a vehicle break-in reportedly committed while he was waiting for his wife who was undergoing a medical procedure.

Attorney Derrick Lopez, representing suspect Eric Thompson, asked Tuesday to be removed from the case because of client conflict.

District Judge Dave Gamble appointed attorney Kris Brown to represent Thompson who has not yet signed a plea agreement.

Originally, he was charged with burglary and attempted burglary. He has prior felony convictions.

Gamble allowed Thompson to be released from Douglas County Jail where he's been held on $53,000 bail to undergo surgery set for Oct. 21.

Thompson, who appeared in court in a neck brace, will be supervised by the Department of Alternative Sentencing and is forbidden to have alcohol or controlled substances.

He is subject to random search and seizure.

Thompson was arrested Sept. 14 after deputies were dispatched to Big 5 Sporting Goods in Minden for a burglary in progress shortly after noon.

Witnesses said they saw the suspect break a window in a woman's pickup as he attempted to pry open the door in front of the sporting goods store.

One of the deputies saw the suspect run across Highway 395 toward the medical center where they found him waiting for his wife.

Deputies found an iPod docking station and binoculars with Big 5 price tags in his vehicle which had been reported stolen from the store.

A surveillance video from the store reportedly showed the suspect taking the items.

Gamble said he kept Thompson in custody because of his drug use.

"People who have been drug users want out to start using drugs again," Gamble said. "You need to understand if you use again you'll be back in custody and it's doubtful you'll be out in time for your surgery."