Sheriff’s Corner
By Sheriff Scott Henriod WPCSO
Have you ever wondered what you would do in a natural disaster? We see on the news how winter storms this year and in the past have caused so much trouble, people being without power for days and sometime weeks. Floods and fires destroying people’s homes and property. Here in White Pine County we are not exempt. Being in a rural setting could even make our challenges greater. I remember a few years back when the internet service for the area went down. Many people were stranded in Ely due to they were unable to obtain fuel for their vehicles. They were unable to pay for their gas due to the only source of currency they had was in the form of a debit or credit card. I have also seen where service has been interrupted at our local grocery store and we unable to purchase items and it wasn’t that long ago when Wells Nevada had an earthquake which caused damage to several buildings. We need to be ready for natural and manmade disasters. So here are a few tips that have been recommended by Federal agencies. Build a kit. It can be a back pack or an old pillow case, just needs to be something that can hold items and can be easily carried. Most of the items you can just leave in your kit, but don’t forget to check them now and again to make sure they are still working. Inside your kit place a flashlight with batteries, first aid kit, nonprescription mediation such as pain relievers, local maps, whistle, duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags, can opener, money, matches, and don’t forget your cell phone with charger along with your medication when you leave your home. It is recommended that you have on hand one gallon of water per person per day in your home and at least three days of non-perishable food. And don’t forget to plan for your pets. They to need food and water. It is also recommended that you take your identification, insurance policies and bank account information with you. There are some great web sites that have some good information on them that will help you build a 24 or 72 hour preparedness kit. Benjamin Franklin said “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
WHITE PINE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE BLOTTER REPORT
March 14th to March 20th
March 14th
REPORT OF AN UNATTENDED DEATH:
City – Delena Hurst passed away at her residence from natural causes.
REPORT OF A JUVENILE PROBLEM:
The reporting party claimed her son was missing and possibly living and attending school in White Pine County. The area was checked and there was no indication the child is living here.
REPORT OF HARASSMENT:
City – the reporting party claimed a male was following her. The male was contacted and he advised she owed him money. The male was instructed not to follow the reporting party.
REPORT OF THREATS:
City – a juvenile reportedly was threatened by another juvenile. A report will be submitted to Juvenile Probation.
REPORT OF A THEFT:
City – the reporting party claimed someone stole her license plates. A report was completed.
REPORT OF A TRESPASSER:
The subject who was allegedly trespassing left without incident.
REPORT OF A JUVENILE PROBLEM:
City – the reporting party claimed a juvenile had made some threats to her. The investigation continues.
New Bookings:
• Harry Green / Warrant – criminal contempt / Bail $675 / Arrested by NHP
• Warren Bode / Illegal stopping and DUI / Bail $1,140 / Arrested by NHP
March 15th
REPORT REPORT OF A BURGLARY:
City – the reporting party claimed an unknown subject removed property from his vehicle. The investigation continues.
REPORT OF A BURGLARY:
City – the reporting party claimed an unknown subject removed property from his vehicle. The investigation continues.
REPORT OF VANDALISM:
The reporting party discovered a vending machine had been tipped over and damaged. The investigation continues.
REPORT OF FRAUD:
The reporting party claimed to have gotten a phone call from the IRS demanding money. She was advised it was a scam and not to provide any information to the caller.
REPORT OF THREATS:
City – the reporting party claimed an unknown male threatened to kidnap her dog. The male could not be located.
REPORT OF A WELFARE CHECK:
The subject was located and later agreed to go to the hospital due to having thoughts of hurting himself.
New Bookings:
• Douglas Allen Kaman / Sale of a controlled substance, ex-felon in possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine, child endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia / Bail $500,000 / Arrested by the Department of Public Safety
•Ashley Danielle Gillaspie / Possession of methamphetamine, child endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia / $25,000 / Arrested by the Department of Public Safety – Investigations
March 16th
REPORT OF A THEFT:
City – the reporting party claimed someone stole a tv from his home. When asked to see where the tv was stolen from, the reporting party told the deputy no because his home was too dirty. A report was completed.
REPORT OF A JUVENILE PROBLEM:
The reporting party claimed her juvenile child locked her out of her house. The officer assisted in gaining entry to the home.
REPORT OF A HIT AND RUN:
The reporting party discovered an unknown vehicle had struck his fence and then fled the scene. A report was completed.
REPORT OF SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES:
City – the reporting party observed a male climb into the undercarriage of a stopped tour bus, which then drove off. The bus was located and the male was identified as one of the bus drivers who was sleeping in the sleeping compartment.
REPORT OF AN ARREST:
City – 27 year old Ely resident Joseph Opipari was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
REPORT OF A PROBLEM WITH A SUBJECT:
City – a male was upset because he was being kicked out of a local motel for non-payment. The manager agreed to let him stay one more night due to a medical condition.
New Bookings:
•Joseph Opipari / Warrant / No bail
March 17th
REPORT OF AN ARREST:
City – a deputy conducted a traffic stop and 29 year old Ely resident Michael Scott Mike was arrested for driving with a suspended license.
REPORT OF A PROBLEM WITH A SUBJECT:
City – the reporting party claimed he was being harassed by another person. The person was contacted and told to stop communicating with the reporting party.
REPORT OF THEFT:
City – the reporting party claimed money was missing from her checking account. The investigation continues.
REPORT OF A PROBLEM WITH A SUBJECT:
City – a motel manager claimed a subject was refusing to leave after not paying for another day of rental. The male left when officers arrived.
REPORT OF AN ARREST:
City – a deputy observed 44 year old Ely resident Frank Miller on private property, where he knew Miller had been trespassed from before. Miller was contacted and later taken into custody.
New Bookings:
• Michael Scott Mike / Driving with a suspended license / Bail $355
• Frank Miller / Trespassing / Bail $355
March 18th
REPORT OF AN ARREST:
City – 29 year old Ely resident Samuel Jose Swafford was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
REPORT OF AN ACCIDENT:
City – Autumn Snow, of Ely, was traveling straight when Lee Epperson, of Ely, attempted to make a left turn in front of her, causing an accident. Epperson was issued a citation for failure to yield while making a left turn.
REPORT OF A DOG PROBLEM:
The reporting party complained about a neighbor’s dog harassing his livestock. The neighbor was contacted and agreed to better control his dog.
REPORT OF A PROBLEM WITH A SUBJECT:
City – the reporting party claimed that while he was picking up his child from his ex-wife’s home, her current partner began yelling at the reporting party. A report was completed.
REPORT OF A DISTURBANCE:
City – contact was made with the offenders, who it was discovered were arguing. Both were warned about creating a disturbance.
New Bookings:
• Samuel Jose Swafford / Warrant / $1,155
March 19th
REPORT OF A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE:
City – contact was made with the parties involved, and it was determined a battery had occurred. 25 year old Ely resident Joshua Daniel Orion Crossman was arrested for domestic battery.
REPORT OF HARASSMENT:
City – the reporting party claimed to be harassed by a former partner. The other party was contacted and advised of the complaint.
REPORT OF FRAUD:
City – the reporting party claimed to have received a check in the mail with a request to deposit it. The check was found to be counterfeit. A report was completed.
REPORT OF A DEATH:
Charles David Berger passed away at his residence from natural causes.
REPORT OF A WELFARE CHECK:
City – the reporting party claimed a male subject was threatening suicide. The male was contacted and claimed he was fine with no thoughts of self-harm.
REPORT OF A CIVIL ISSUE:
City – the reporting party claimed a former tenant from his rental had stolen property. He was advised the issue would be civil.
REPORT OF A DOG PROBLEM:
The reporting party discovered an unknown subject had shot his dog. The investigation continues.
New Bookings:
• Joshua Daniel Orion Crossman / Domestic battery / Bail $3,000
March 20th
REPORT OF AN UNATTENDED DEATH:
Paula Geroux-Nicholes passed away at her home from natural causes.
REPORT OF A THEFT:
City – it was discovered a juvenile stole an electronic device from another student while at school. A report was completed and will be submitted to Juvenile Probation.
REPORT OF A CIVIL PROBLEM:
City – the reporting party claimed he was bitten by a dog last year and the dog owner had agreed to pay his medical bills. Since then, the owner has stopped paying the bill. The reporting party was advised this was a civil issue.
REPORT OF A PROBLEM WITH A SUBJECT:
The reporting party claimed he went to a neighbor’s home and an occupant chased him away with a gun. The occupant was contacted and denied the claim. During the investigation, 40 year old Preston resident Kimberly Jean Douglass was arrested for violating the terms of her probation.
REPORT OF SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES:
The reporting party believed someone had tampered with their vehicle. When they got home, they discovered someone had been in their home. The investigation continues.
REPORT OF ANIMAL ABUSE:
City – the reporting party believed a neighbor was abusing a dog. The officer only heard a dog barking and no one answered the door of the residence.
REPORT OF A PROBLEM WITH A SUBJECT:
The reporting party claimed someone was knocking on her door and she didn’t want him there. The person was gone when officers arrived and they were unable to locate him.
New Bookings:
• Kimberly Jean Douglass / Probation violation / No bail
