Sydney Trainor
On Thursday, Dec. 11, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a string of stolen vehicle incidents and arrests along U.S. Highway 95, including the recovery of a stolen semi-trailer, drug and weapons related arrests, and a high-speed pursuit that ended with a suspect taken into custody.
The first incident occurred shortly after 2:15 p.m., when the sheriff’s office received an alert from the Flock camera system regarding a stolen semi-trailer. Deputies located the semi-truck pulling the reported trailer near mile marker 43 on U.S. 95. Investigators confirmed the trailer had been reported stolen out of North Carolina. The driver of the semi-truck was allowed to continue after deputies determined he was not involved in the theft, and the trailer was impounded for return to its owner.
Later that afternoon, at approximately 3:47 p.m., deputies responded to a second Flock camera alert involving a stolen 2008 Nissan Versa reported out of Oregon. Deputies located the vehicle at a Chevron gas station in Hawthorne. The driver, identified as Perry New of Oregon, and an adult female, Kimberly Vessio, were taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 6.8 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and two handguns. Investigators determined New is an ex-felon. The vehicle was towed for return to its rightful owner.
New faces felony charges for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, along with a misdemeanor charge related to drug paraphernalia. Vessio was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The third incident occurred later that evening, after the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office to assist in locating a stolen 2017 Chevrolet Silverado taken from Yerington. The suspect was identified as Monica Robinson, who had recently been released from the Lyon County jail on drug-related charges.
Investigators said Robinson allegedly stole the vehicle after the owner paid for her hotel room in Yerington. When the owner exited the room, Robinson reportedly locked the doors and drove away in the truck.
At approximately 8:52 p.m., a Walker River Tribal Police officer spotted the Silverado traveling southbound on U.S. 95 near mile marker 82 in Mineral County. When the officer attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled, reaching speeds of up to 97 mph. During the pursuit, Robinson was observed driving into oncoming traffic and swerving erratically. The truck sustained damage to the passenger side after striking an object during the pursuit.
Mineral County deputies deployed spike strips on U.S. 95 near mile markers 58 and 56, ultimately disabling all four tires. The vehicle spun out and came to a stop near mile marker 56, where Robinson was taken into custody. The Silverado sustained major damage.
Robinson faces felony charges for grand larceny of a motor vehicle and eluding, along with misdemeanor charges including driving without a valid license, failing to drive on the right half of the roadway, disobeying a peace officer, and resisting a public officer.
Sheriff Bill Ferguson noted that the incidents highlight the efforts of deputies to keep the community safe and the value of technology and interagency cooperation. He stated, “In less than twelve hours, our teams successfully managed three distinct, high-stakes incidents on U.S. Highway 95, a major artery through our county.”
Regarding public safety, Sheriff Ferguson said, “Mineral County remains dedicated to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of all who live in and travel through our jurisdiction. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who attempt to use our roads for criminal activity.”
The sheriff’s office credited the Flock camera system, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Yerington Police Department, and the Walker River Tribal Police Department for their role in the incidents and subsequent arrests.
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