Two women identified as suspects in Nevada burglaries

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has warrants out for the arrest of two women in connection with a series of burglaries and burglary-related crimes in the county. One of the suspects is also a suspect in a number of burglaries currently under investigation by the Truckee Police Department, and the Carson City and Douglas County Sheriff’s Offices.

Sparks resident Charlotte Marie Hodges, 36, faces nearly two dozen charges stemming from a series of vehicle burglaries in south Reno. She was initially arrested by Washoe County Detectives on February 16, 2017 on charges of burglary and attempted burglary. Following additional investigation numerous additional charges have since been filed, including charges related to case being investigated by the Reno Police Department. She is also the suspect in other area cases.

Washoe County investigators have evidence to support that Hodges also took items left inside of residential mailboxes and the Sheriff’s Office has been working closely with the Unites States Postal Inspection Service during this investigation. At this time, Hodges faces three charges related to the use of a credit or debit card without consent.

Sheriff’s investigators are also looking for 29-year-old Rachelle Lashaye Erwin of Reno, as a second suspect in this investigation. Erwin is described as a black female, 5'7" tall, 130 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.

Most of the burglaries currently under investigation involved vehicles that were left unlocked, just as many of the South Lake Tahoe area thefts.

A reminder that criminals often look for the easiest way to enter vehicles and homes and will target unlocked vehicles. Crimes of this nature are basically crimes of opportunity.

How to remove these opportunities:

- Lock your doors!
- Garage door openers left in unsecure vehicles have been used to gain access to a residence, leaving homes open to potentially dangerous criminals.
- Do not leave items in plain view in your vehicle.
- If parking outside, remove your garage door opener from your vehicle.
- Always take your keys with you.
- Don’t leave your vehicle warming up in the drive way unattended.
- Place outgoing mail in secure U.S. Postal Service boxes.
- Remove mail from residential mailboxes as promptly as possible.
- Report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.