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Dana Rice isn't scared or frightened; she's angry. Rice is angry because her store was burglarized in early June and knows who did it. The Fallon police know who did it.
But Rice won't say publicly who robbed Daisy Mae's flower shop. According to Rice, nothing has happened to the suspect. What really makes Rice's blood boil, though, is the individual who victimized her store is a family friend.
“I wanted to run my car through his house,” Rice said. “I wanted to go down there and beat him up with no fear. I was that mad.”
Rice had a suspicion about who committed the crime, and so did her three employees. After the robbery, Rice and her staff spoke about the crime, and each said they thought it was the same person.
Rice then notified the police of whom she thought it might be, and officers began following the suspect. Police apprehended the suspect after another break-in and according to Rice, the individual committed at least four burglaries including Doreen's Desert Rose.
Ironically, Rice said people should be aware of the pitfalls of accusing someone who could be innocent.
“I really don't know, but I thought it was him beyond a shadow of a doubt,” Rice said. “I really do (think it's ironic). If you're mad at somebody, it might be jumping the gun a little bit. I don't know. It would depend on the person making the accusation.”
Her temper really flared when she saw the individual in question had no fear of repercussions for his actions. Rice said it seems with the current problem, those who commit the crimes have no fear of punishment.
The suspect took two computers, the cash register, a bank deposit book, flowers and candles. Rice got the computers back but not until she had already purchased new machines. The bank bag had two day's worth of deposits.
“We didn't get it (the computers) back until about two weeks later (the robbery),” Rice said.
Fallon police Chief Kevin Gehman and Mayor Ken Tedford Jr., discussed possible solutions for the crime spree at the last city council meeting. Tedford and Gehman devised a checklist to help businesses protect their stores from being targeted.
Gehman said the police have intensified their patrols, and the department has been following every lead and evidence found at the scenes.
However, with some of the evidence heading to laboratories for analysis, these crimes aren't a high priority compared with murders, rapes and other violent crimes around the state.
Gehman, though, reiterated the police will come out to perform a security sweep for local business owners.
“Our patrolling is up and we have unmarked cars doing patrols,” Gehman said. “We do have some suspects.”
In June, at least four businesses fell prey to burglars including Daisy Mae's, Courtyard Café twice, Custom Trailer and Kingdom Hall, the Jehovah Witness Church.
In recent weeks, at least eight businesses have been struck by thieves, though, some were ransacked and nothing of much value taken.
The growing crime spree has also taken its toll on Loretta Guazzini who owns the Hair Hut and the Garden's Funeral Home.
Guazzini wrote letters to the Churchill County Sheriff, Fallon police chief and the mayor. She received responses from the sheriff and mayor, but says little has been done to reduce the ongoing problem.
“All I know is there is a lot of people buying guns,” Guazzini said. “They feel like if they're not going to be protected, they're going to protect themselves.”
“They wait until he almost kills somebody before they put him away,” she added.
Rice feels a stronger punishment needs to be delivered to those responsible for committing crime, especially teenagers and young adults.
According to the Fallon Police Department monthly report, there were 13 burglaries in June, five in July, seven in August, nine in September and 13 in October.
Rice and Guazzini said people should check their security measures, including removing trees or bushes close to windows.
To have a security sweep by the Fallon police, call 423-2111.
But Rice won't say publicly who robbed Daisy Mae's flower shop. According to Rice, nothing has happened to the suspect. What really makes Rice's blood boil, though, is the individual who victimized her store is a family friend.
“I wanted to run my car through his house,” Rice said. “I wanted to go down there and beat him up with no fear. I was that mad.”
Rice had a suspicion about who committed the crime, and so did her three employees. After the robbery, Rice and her staff spoke about the crime, and each said they thought it was the same person.
Rice then notified the police of whom she thought it might be, and officers began following the suspect. Police apprehended the suspect after another break-in and according to Rice, the individual committed at least four burglaries including Doreen's Desert Rose.
Ironically, Rice said people should be aware of the pitfalls of accusing someone who could be innocent.
“I really don't know, but I thought it was him beyond a shadow of a doubt,” Rice said. “I really do (think it's ironic). If you're mad at somebody, it might be jumping the gun a little bit. I don't know. It would depend on the person making the accusation.”
Her temper really flared when she saw the individual in question had no fear of repercussions for his actions. Rice said it seems with the current problem, those who commit the crimes have no fear of punishment.
The suspect took two computers, the cash register, a bank deposit book, flowers and candles. Rice got the computers back but not until she had already purchased new machines. The bank bag had two day's worth of deposits.
“We didn't get it (the computers) back until about two weeks later (the robbery),” Rice said.
Fallon police Chief Kevin Gehman and Mayor Ken Tedford Jr., discussed possible solutions for the crime spree at the last city council meeting. Tedford and Gehman devised a checklist to help businesses protect their stores from being targeted.
Gehman said the police have intensified their patrols, and the department has been following every lead and evidence found at the scenes.
However, with some of the evidence heading to laboratories for analysis, these crimes aren't a high priority compared with murders, rapes and other violent crimes around the state.
Gehman, though, reiterated the police will come out to perform a security sweep for local business owners.
“Our patrolling is up and we have unmarked cars doing patrols,” Gehman said. “We do have some suspects.”
In June, at least four businesses fell prey to burglars including Daisy Mae's, Courtyard Café twice, Custom Trailer and Kingdom Hall, the Jehovah Witness Church.
In recent weeks, at least eight businesses have been struck by thieves, though, some were ransacked and nothing of much value taken.
The growing crime spree has also taken its toll on Loretta Guazzini who owns the Hair Hut and the Garden's Funeral Home.
Guazzini wrote letters to the Churchill County Sheriff, Fallon police chief and the mayor. She received responses from the sheriff and mayor, but says little has been done to reduce the ongoing problem.
“All I know is there is a lot of people buying guns,” Guazzini said. “They feel like if they're not going to be protected, they're going to protect themselves.”
“They wait until he almost kills somebody before they put him away,” she added.
Rice feels a stronger punishment needs to be delivered to those responsible for committing crime, especially teenagers and young adults.
According to the Fallon Police Department monthly report, there were 13 burglaries in June, five in July, seven in August, nine in September and 13 in October.
Rice and Guazzini said people should check their security measures, including removing trees or bushes close to windows.
To have a security sweep by the Fallon police, call 423-2111.
