Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 1800022
Date Issued: Feb 15, 2018 - 2:50pm

Washoe County Sheriff's Office detectives arrest three following successful sting of an attempted extortion

CONTACT: Bob Harmon
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-785-6235
Cell 775-722-5517

Washoe County Sheriff's Office arrested three men Wednesday night after an attempt to extort $40,000 dollars from a resident living in the area of El Rancho Drive east of Sun Valley Boulevard. The arrests were the result of a successful sting operation by Sheriff's Office detectives.

The Sheriff's Office was initially contacted by the victim on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. At that time he reported that his residence had been burglarized in late January with several items stolen. He further reported that earlier on Tuesday his brother had located an envelope left at the front door of the residence. Inside the envelope was a letter threatening to kill the victim's family if $40,000 in cash was not left on the residence's front porch at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday night.

Detectives decided to set up a sting operation. At approximately 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, several subjects arrived at the residence and removed an envelope that had been left there. The subjects ran when confronted by law enforcement but were all located and taken into custody by detectives.

After further investigation, detectives arrested the following three suspects:

  • Brian Jose Ojeda, age 21, on charges of extortion and conspiracy to commit robbery
  • Raul E Cruz-Bonilla, age 19, on charges of extortion, conspiracy to commit robbery with a deadly weapon, and resisting a public officer
  • Lorenzo Trujillo, age 20, on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and resisting a public officer

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Detective Division at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.

Photo 1: Brian Jose Ojeda

Photo 2: Raul E Cruz-Bonilla

Photo 3: Lorenzo Trujillo

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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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