SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
On Thursday, December 22, 2011, Washoe County Deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of Sierra Manor Drive in Reno to investigate the theft of an antique wagon. A caretaker, who maintains the residence for the homeowner noticed the missing wagon and reported the theft to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
The wagon, reportedly one of the first center dump wagons to be used in early road construction, had been on the property which is owned by an elderly female. A similar wagon, believed to be the only other wagon of its type in the area, sits on the Nevada Department of Transportation grounds.
The caretaker conducted his own research on a local internet private party sales site, located the wagon for sale in Reno. The ad indicated the wagon was prepared for sale and delivery, with the ad being posted the day prior. Sheriff’s Office Detectives and the All Threats All Crimes Unit (ATAC) conducted an undercover sting operation, posing as potential buyers for the wagon. The caretaker was able to positively identify the old wagon, valued in excess of $1000.00. Detectives recovered the wagon, which was released back to the victim.
Detectives arrested 34 year-old Incline Village resident Tavia Toussaint for Possession of Stolen Property, after she negotiated the sale of the wagon to Detectives. A trailer, which the wagon was sitting on, was also seized pending further investigation into possessing additional stolen property. The trailer had recently been repainted and the identification plates were removed.
Detectives are following several leads in an effort to identify the suspect(s) who stole the wagon. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Edwards at 775-328-3326, or anonymously through Secret Witness by calling 775-322-4900.
