Sheriff’s Office Arrests Two on 26 Counts Related to Home Invasions

Churchill County Sheriff’s Office released information on April 1 in relation to the arrests of two suspects connected to recent home invasions in the area.

The Churchill County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded March 25, 2026, to the area of Lahontan Dam Road on a report of a theft. During the investigation, a sergeant from the Operations Division and investigators followed leads to a nearby location where the suspected stolen property had been taken.

At that location, deputies recovered the property and made contact with Eric McKendall, 33, and Angela Westerlund, 46, who were identified as suspects in the theft. Further investigation uncovered additional stolen items on the property tied to other burglaries in Churchill County. Investigators also recovered a firearm reported stolen in North Dakota.

Following the investigation, McKendall and Westerlund were taken into custody and booked into the Churchill County Detention Center.

Criminal complaints against McKendall and Westerlund, filed in New River Township Justice Court by the District Attorney’s Office on April 1, included charges of:

• Home Invasion, a Category B Felony punishable by 2–15 years.
• Buying, Possessing, Receiving, or Withholding Stolen Property, $5,000–$25,000, a Category C Felony, punishable by 1–5 years.
• Burglary of a Structure, a Category D Felony punishable by 1–4 years.
• Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, a Category C Felony punishable by 1–5 years.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, a First or Second Offense, a Category E Felony punishable by 1–4 years in prison, namely methamphetamine.
• Possession of More than 1 Ounce but Less than 50 Pounds of Marijuana, or More than One-Eighth but Less than One Pound of Concentrated Cannabis, a Category E Felony punishable by 1–4 years in prison. The complaint alleges McKendall and Westerlund were in possession of 1,564 grams, or 3.5 pounds, of marijuana.
• Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Buying, Possessing, Receiving, or Withholding Stolen Property, a Gross Misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail. The complaints allege Westerlund and McKendall conspired with another person to possess stolen property from four to five listed victims.
• Destroying or Concealing Evidence, a Gross Misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail.
• Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• Misdemeanor Buying, Possessing, Receiving, or Withholding Stolen Property, value less than $1,200.

Additionally, McKendall is charged with Unlawful Obtaining and Using Personal Identifying Information of Another to Avoid or Delay Prosecution, a Category C Felony punishable by 1–5 years, and Ex-Felon not to Possess a Firearm, a Category B Felony punishable by 1–6 years. McKendall was also found to have two active warrants in Washoe County.

Westerlund is also charged with Ownership or Possession of a Firearm by Certain Prohibited Persons, a Category B Felony punishable by 1–6 years. The complaint alleges she was in possession of a Ruger .22 rifle revolver and had previously been convicted of Battery Which Constitutes Domestic Violence.

Westerlund initially appeared in Justice Court over the weekend on March 27. Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer requested her release from custody. Court documents state, “The court does not find clear and convincing evidence to deny an OR release,” and Westerlund was released on her own recognizance without bail.

According to the sheriff, on March 27, 2026, deputies returned to the property on Lahontan Dam Road and again made contact with Westerlund. During that contact, Westerlund allegedly committed additional criminal violations and was again taken into custody and booked into the Churchill County Detention Center.

Westerlund was arraigned in Justice Court on March 29 on charges of misdemeanor Unlawful Trespass upon Land (not amounting to burglary), Resisting, Delaying, or Obstructing a Public Officer, and Home Invasion.

The court noted Westerlund was already on probation in another case that carried a 10-day jail sentence if she committed any new criminal violations. She was found in contempt of court by Judge Benjamin Trotter for failing to comply with the terms of her probation. Additionally, she failed to pay the ordered restitution. Trotter ordered her to serve the 10 days and imposed a suspended 25-day jail sentence on the condition that she pay restitution within 30 days.

On April 2, Westerlund and McKendall were arraigned on all remaining charges. Both remain in custody.

“This investigation remains ongoing,” the Sheriff’s Office stated, commending all personnel involved for their commitment to the citizens of Churchill County and their dedication to the profession.