SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, located in Bryan, Texas, in an investigation of a commercial burglary that occurred at “The Great Texas Gun Company” located at 6951 State Highway 21 East in the City of Bryan. The loss was approximately 80 guns on December 17, 2011.
One of the stolen guns, a .40 caliber Springfield semi-automatic handgun, was recovered on January 4, 2012, when Officers from the Reno Police Department responded to the Circus-Circus Hotel & Casino on a report of a disturbance. During the course of this investigation, Reno Police Officers found subject Mark Stephen Mechikoff – a 27 year old Pacifica, California resident to be in possession of the stolen handgun. Mechikoff was subsequently arrested and charged with Possession of Stolen Property – Firearm, Possession of Firearm while Under the Influence, Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Drawing/Displaying a Deadly Weapon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Fugitive from Justice. On February 14th, local charges had been dismissed and Mechikoff was transferred to the California Department of Corrections as a parole absconder.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office (www.brazoscountysheriff.org) is requesting that anyone with information in regards to the stolen handguns contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigations Unit at (775) 328-3320, Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900, www.secretwitness.com, or text the tip to 847411 (tip 411) keyword – SW. Sheriff’s Detectives believe there’s a possibility that there may be more stolen guns from this Texas investigation in Washoe County.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 24th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process and traditional street patrols.
