metro police
This image from video shows a warehouse in Las Vegas that police say contained stolen appliances.
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 | 7:30 p.m.
Joseph Cash
An alleged burglar accused of breaking into dozens of newly built homes across the Las Vegas Valley to steal appliances likely didn’t imagine how actively Metro Police was pursuing him.
Metro’s “Major Case Protocol” — an urgent effort that comprises multiple units and substations — is rarely used for property crimes, but the monetary losses were soaring, Lt. Michelle Tavarez said in a recorded briefing.
By the end of the burglary spree that began in June and ended with Joseph Cash’s arrest last week, he entered at least 30 vacant homes and swiped about $200,000 worth of appliances.
Cash, 37, was arrested on a count of burglary, although police said Tuesday that they anticipate additional charges.
Cash was out on bail with the condition that he wear electronic monitoring and he stay out of trouble, Las Vegas Justice Court records show.
Police allege he targeted homes that were nearing construction completion in Summerlin, south Las Vegas and the Spring Valley area, Tavarez said.
He would sell the appliances to people he knew, who would then resell them, said Tavarez, noting that the pandemic has caused a shortage of appliances at big box stores.
Police served warrants on a home and a warehouse and recovered some 100 appliances, said Tavarez, suggesting that serial numbers helped crack the case. Metro released a video that showed what appeared to be the warehouse raided. It was packed with stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers.
Details on Cash’s arrest weren’t immediately available. He’s next expected in court on Nov. 16.
