Man involved in burglary ring sentenced

Tracey Lock, 41, was sentenced Monday morning to the maximum of 120 months in prison for his role in a string of burglaries that hit Carson City, Douglas and Washoe counties.

Lock, along with Drake Vancleave, Travis Lieberwirth, Brian Madsen and Bob Stover, were all arrested on suspicion of multiple burglaries from summer 2014 to winter 2015.

In District Court on Monday, Lock’s attorney blamed his criminal activities on his difficult childhood with an abusive father and single mother. She said she found Lock to be highly intelligent and courteous. His attorney said that this charge should help Lock turn his life around and create a better future for himself that doesn’t involve drugs or incarceration.

Lock was originally thought to be the ring leader of the group, but Assistant District Attorney Kristen Luis said that he cooperated with police after he was arrested and helped the police narrow down where the group hit, what was taken, and where some of the stolen items could be found.

“He essentially helped close the case in all three counties,” Luis said.

Lock’s sentence was reduced from 12 counts of burglary to just one, which is why the defense recommended the maximum sentence.

Victims spoke in court to tell the judge about the emotional harm that Lock and the others caused them, and to speak out against the sentence.

“One hundred and twenty months as the minimum is nothing, we need to prosecute,” said Cindy Rowe, one of the victims. “We need to throw the book at this case and show these criminals that we don’t tolerate this behavior in our city. One count of burglary is ridiculous.”

Many of the victims told the judge about the fear and emotional stress that they have experienced since the burglaries.

“I don’t sleep at night now,” said Kim Vine, a Carson City law enforcement officer. “I don’t feel safe.”

Vine told the judge that because of this incident she had to move from her home because some of her probationers and parolees found out where she lived because they heard about the burglaries.

“I have no problem with going into a felon’s house and not being scared for my job,” Vine said. “And now I am scared to be in my own home.”

The defense in total had six testimonies from victims in the courtroom.

When it was Lock’s turn to speak to the judge, he told the court that he was sorry for what he had done, and said that the actions were because of a drug and gambling problem he had at the time.

The judge sentenced Lock to 120 months in jail, the maximum sentence for one count of burglary.

“Your conduct has had a major impact on the residents of Carson City,” said Judge James Russell. “To the extent that I can, with one count of burglary, I sentence to no probation and a maximum of 120 months.

Lock also will have to pay $133,087 in restitution to the victims, and is also waiting to be sentenced in Douglas County for the burglaries. Lock faces 6-15 years and up to a $10,000 fine at his Nov. 9 sentencing in Douglas.

He’s not eligible for probation because of prior burglary convictions that include the use of firearms.

Also involved in the robberies, Stover, Lieberwirth are waiting sentencing and Madsen has entered a plea of guilty to possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime and a fourth member, Vancleave has also entered a plea of guilty to burglary and possession of stolen property.

Two others also were arrested as part of the ring. The group is accused of being involved in up to 30 different burglaries.