Minden, Nevada- The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call on Monday January 31st to reports of graffiti in various areas of Gardnerville, including three stop signs at the intersection of Manhattan Way and Tillman Lane, a sign at Dresslerville Road and Tillman Lane, and both sides of Lutheran Bridge.
Additional graffiti was later located on a residential fence along Waterloo Lane, in the area of Lampe Park. The graffiti was identified as being gang related by the Regional Gang Task Force (RGTF), comprised of Douglas County and Lyon County Deputies.
The following day, RGTF investigators identified the suspect as Rafael Chapa. RGTF investigators conducted a traffic stop on Chapa, who admitted to being a gang member, and after evidence of his crimes was located, he was placed under arrest for the graffiti, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to commit a crime, ex-felon in possession of a firearm, providing false identification to delay prosecution, and traffic offenses. Chapa was later identified as a suspect in a theft that occurred at Walmart during the weekend.
The public is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office if any other graffiti is located. Please call the non-emergency line at 775-782-5126.
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