On March 26, 2026, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies received information that a wanted suspect was at a residence in the area of Yukon Drive in Sun Valley.
The suspect was identified as Joseph Wheatley. He was wanted on a felony warrant issued out of Sparks Justice Court for Evading, Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Elderly Enhancement, Driver Disobeying a Peace Officer and Endangering Others, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving without a Valid Driver’s License, Duty to Stop at the Scene of an Accident with Vehicle/Property Damage, and Open Alcohol Container in a Vehicle.
Wheatley also faces additional charges related to this incident, including two counts of felony Battery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon, one count of felony Driver Disobeying a Peace Officer, and one misdemeanor count of Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License.
Detectives from the Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations (HERO) Unit and the Northern Nevada Drug Task Force (NNDTF), along with the Northern Nevada Regional Intelligence Center (NNRIC), assisted patrol deputies in the investigation.
The suspect exited the residence and entered a vehicle parked on a nearby street. When deputies attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled through Sun Valley at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle ultimately stopped in the area of South Fork Drive and Middle Fork Drive. Deputies, with assistance from a Drone as a First Responder (DFR), located the suspect nearby, surrounded the vehicle, and gave commands for the suspect to exit.
After initially stopping, the suspect attempted to flee again and struck both a patrol unit and a detective’s vehicle in a head-on collision.
After several minutes, Wheatley complied with commands and was taken into custody without further incident.
One deputy and one detective were transported to Renown Regional Medical Center for injuries sustained during the incident. Both were treated and released later that night. Wheatley was also transported to Renown for treatment of injuries related to the crash before being booked into the Washoe County Detention Facility.
This incident highlights the coordinated efforts of Washoe County Sheriff’s Office personnel and assisting units.
