Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

California man arrested on multiple felony charges for embezzlement, identity theft, fake credit card lab

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested 39-year-old John Michael Lain (aka Richard Patrick Lain) for embezzlement, possession of fraudulent credit cards, as well as having a number of items used to manufacture fraudulent credit cards assembled in his hotel room.

Lain’s arrest is the culmination of a seven-month long crime spree spanning Washoe County, Reno, Sparks, Susanville and Truckee, California.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives first began investigating the embezzlement of four electric mountain bikes from a local outdoor equipment store in Galena in July of 2020, wherein the bikes were “rented” and never returned. Three weeks after that case was taken, in early August, a Washoe County resident reported her credit card was used fraudulently at a large sporting goods retailer in Sparks; however, the victim still had possession of her credit card. That sporting goods store’s loss prevention department provided information that over the course of two months store employees tracked nine internal reports tied to this fraudulent credit card activity.

Ten days after the Sparks purchase, two electric mountain bikes were embezzled from a sporting goods store in Truckee. The name associated with that “rental” was the name of a victim whose wallet was stolen in Susanville in February.

Working in conjunction with Truckee Police Department detectives, Lain was identified as a suspect. It was discovered that he was known to stay at a casino/resort in the 3800 block of South Virginia Street. Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives located Lain in the hotel and took him into custody. 

Hotel security followed protocol and began the eviction process of Lain’s hotel room. When hotel security entered the room, they found evidence of illegal activity and notified detectives who were already on the premises. Detectives seized 47 items which were consistent with drug trafficking and a financial forgery lab, including:

• mechanical embosser
• magnetic card reader/encoder
• 16 fraudulent credit cards
• bike tube and repair kit
• drug paraphernalia

Lain is charged with eleven felony counts including: obtaining and using personal identifying information of another, obtaining or possessing credit or debit card without consent of the cardholder, possessing a financial forgery laboratory, embezzlement, and drug trafficking.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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