Deputies with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at the 7-Eleven convenience store located at 1445 Geiger Grade Road at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Monday, September 24, 2012.
Upon arrival, deputies were informed that a white male adult had entered the store wearing a black colored “hoodie” and displayed a handgun on his waist. The store clerk complied with the armed suspect’s demands for money. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the armed suspect ran away. The store clerk advised the deputies of the incident and that the suspect fit the description of a recognized customer known only as “Ian”. Deputies also received information on two other persons involved in this incident. Deputies developed information on a location of where the suspects possibly reside. Deputies set up surveillance in the area of Toll Road and Geiger Grade Road.
Deputies were able to gather enough information from the store clerk and store management to assist in the investigation. Approximately an hour after this incident, the Reno Police Department responded on a report of an armed robbery at the 5200 block of Meadowood Circle at 9:35 p.m. The suspect’s method of entry, description and demands for money were similar. In RPD’s investigation, a citizen was able to provide a vehicle description and license plate number. This was passed along to deputies and detectives investigating the 7-Eleven case and helped corroborate information already developed.
At approximately 10:24 p.m., deputies observed the black colored Toyota Celica suspect vehicle in the area of their established surveillance. The vehicle, which was occupied by three subjects, fled from a deputy attempting to initiate a traffic stop. The suspect vehicle fled to the dead end of Chamy Drive in the Virginia Foothills area. The suspect vehicle came to a stop after a minor traffic accident into a ditch and the three suspects were apprehended. Victims and witnesses were brought to the scene and positively identified the suspects involved in the armed robberies. The driver, Ian Rucker age 33, was arrested for robbery with a deadly weapon, DUI – 3rd Offense, eluding a peace officer and driving on a revoked driver’s license (Sheriff’s Office charges only). Tesla Tomlin age 22 was arrested for conspiracy to commit robbery (Sheriff’s Office charge). Paul Badgley age 44 was arrested for conspiracy to commit robbery (Sheriff’s Office charge) as well.
Rucker, Tomlin and Badgley were transported and booked by Sheriff’s Office personnel. Rucker is being held at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility on $120,740 bail (WCSO and RPD combined charges). Tomlin is being held on $60,000 bail (WCSO and RPD combined charges) and Badgley has a $20,000 bail.
Deputies have recovered most of the stolen money that was taken during the armed robberies but the handgun that was displayed has not been located. Anyone with information on this investigation is encouraged to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division at (775) 328-3320, Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900, www.secretwitness.com, or text the tip to 847411 (tip 411) keyword – SW.
