Sparks Man Convicted of Robbery

District Attorney Announces Guilty Verdict In Robbery Case

September 20, 2016

Reno, Nevada

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has announced a verdict in a recent trial involving robbery charges. 

Harvey Lee Nobles, 24 (DOB 11/16/91) from Sparks was found guilty last Thursday on one count of Robbery after a jury trial that began on Monday, September 12, 2016 in Washoe County District Court.  Sentencing in the case is set for November 11, 2016 in Department 1.  Nobles, who was on probation for possession of a firearm when this crime was committed, faces up to 15 years in prison. 

The case against Nobles began on January 11, 2016 when the Reno Police Department (RPD) was called to the El Ray Motel in downtown Reno.  Once at the motel, RPD officers met with a female who told them she had just been robbed of her purse by a male acquaintance, later identified as Nobles.  According to the victim, she had met Nobles at Diamonds Casino and had gone to the motel with him.  The two were at the motel for about an hour before Nobles stole the victim’s purse and fled.  As Nobles fled, he was approached by two male witnesses who had heard the victim yelling for help.  Nobles, threatened the two men by acting as if he were armed with a gun before fleeing in his vehicle. Based on witness interviews and a description of Nobles, RPD officers were able to locate him a short time later back at Diamonds Casino.  Officers also located the victim’s purse in the parking lot of the casino and money belonging to the victim was found on Nobles when he was searched. Nobles was arrested and subsequently charged by this office.

At trial, Prosecutor’s Carrie Morton and Chelsea Mazza introduced video footage from the casino showing the defendant’s movements and footage from the motel that showed the defendant fleeing the scene.