Robbery and Burglary Prosecution Results in Life Sentence

District Attorney Announces Sentencing of Defendant Who Victimized Elderly Reno Homeowners

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has announced that a Reno man has been sentenced to life in prison after having been found guilty in February on multiple residential robbery and burglary counts.  The crimes involved elderly victims attacked in their own homes, including one 74 year old Reno man who was severely beaten, bound, gagged and repeatedly Tasered at gunpoint.  The sentence ensures the defendant will serve the remainder of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Roberto Anthony Ramirez, 19, from Reno, was sentenced last Friday to Life without the Possibility of Parole plus 1-4 years for an elderly enhancement. Ramirez was found guilty in February after a week and a half long jury trial and convicted of one count of Burglary, two counts of Robbery Against a Person 60 Years of Age or Older, one count of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, one count of Burglary with Use of a Deadly Weapon, one count of Battery with Intent to Commit Robbery Against a Person 60 years of Age or Older and one count of Kidnapping in the First Degree Against a Person 60 Years of Age or Older Causing Substantial Bodily Harm.

This case against Ramirez began on February 14, 2016 when the Reno Police Department (RPD) responded to a report of a robbery.  The 75 year old female victim reported she had been robbed by two male suspects who forced their way into her home when she answered her doorbell.  Once inside, the suspects demanded money, while pushing the victim and knocking her to the ground. After ransacking the victim’s home, the suspects left with approximately $100 in cash, credit cards and other property.  The victim immediately called police and RPD detectives began an investigation.

Ten days later, a second similar robbery occurred involving a 74 year old male victim.  In that case, the victim reported a similar pair of armed suspects entered his home and demanded money. The victim was pistol whipped, bound, gagged and repeatedly Tasered during the robbery, which resulted in the man’s wedding ring being stolen off his finger.  Both victims were able to provide descriptions of the suspects and RPD detectives were ultimately able to identify Ramirez.  In addition to witness statements, DNA evidence linked Ramirez to the crimes and he was arrested. 

Ramirez and his accomplice had used the first victim’s credit card at a fast food restaurant shortly after the first robbery and detectives were able to obtain video surveillance footage of the car they believed Ramirez was riding in.  Based on information gathered from the car, the second suspect was identified as Tristan Stearns Conti.  It was later learned that Conti was killed after shooting and wounding a Lyon County Deputy Sheriff in an Officer Involved Shooting incident that occurred in Lyon County on February 25, 2017.                   

During sentencing Prosecutor Michael Bolenbaker argued Ramirez had no regard for human life as he played “Russian Roulette” with the said victim pulling the trigger twice while the firearm was inches from the victim’s face.