Police say pair part of female theft ring

Las Vegas police arrested two 20-year-old women Wednesday night who are suspected of being members of an all-female theft crew that burglarized at least 50 vehicles and sold police four stolen vehicles, said Lt. Robert Duvall of the Metropolitan Police Department's auto theft unit.

The two women, Kristina Smith and Charissa Hacker, were under investigation for more than two weeks.

Police arrested the women and booked them into the Clark County Detention Center.

Hacker is facing charges of transferring a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to transfer a stolen vehicle. Smith is facing charges of grand larceny auto, transfer of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to transfer a stolen vehicle.

Duvall said a third woman also might have ties to the crew but hasn't been arrested.

"It's very unusual to see a theft crew like this. But in today's day and age, it's something you have to expect," Duvall said.

Hacker and Smith sold police four stolen vehicles during the investigation, and police recovered two more stolen vehicles from the women, he said.

In all, police recovered two Chevrolet Blazers, a Chevrolet Trailblazer, a Chevrolet suburban and two Chevrolet S-10 pickups.

A national insurance organization recently ranked Clark County as the worst area for auto theft in the nation.

In 2006, a total 22,441 vehicles were stolen at a rate of 1,311 for every 100,000 residents.

Duvall said police also recovered personal property that ties the suspects to at least 50 thefts from vehicles.

The property recovered includes purses, briefcases, paperwork and other items taken from cars.

Authorities also served a search warrant at the women's residence, in the 5000 block of Koval Lane, near Tropicana Avenue, and impounded more evidence, police said.

Police don't know how long they have been operating in the valley.

"When it comes to gender or race, we won't discount anyone," Duvall said.