KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Police Find Parole/Probation Violator in Carson City
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Michael SherriffThe search is over for a Reno man who was wanted for a parole violation warrant. 27-year-old Michael James Sherriff was arrested at a Carson City motel around 10:15 Thursday night.
The Carson City Sheriff's Office and the Street Enforcement Team caught him after a short foot chase.
Earlier Thursday night, students on the University of Nevada, Reno campus were told classes had been cancelled and to go home.
Reno Police say Sherriff made threatening remarks regarding the Virginia Tech massacre; sending a text message to family that read "the Korean was a hero."
The apparant reference to the VA Tech killer caused police to take extra caution and close down campus buildings at UNR.
Sherriff is a veteran of the Iraq War and has been treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and mental illness. He was arrested back in 2005 for carrying a concealed weapon by Reno police.
Officers went to his residence on Thursday and couldn't find him. SWAT members found an empty pistol holster inside.
Police have not said if he was armed at the time of his arrest, but do tell us they caught Sherriff trying to jump out of a hotel window in Carson City.
Prior to his arrest, a family member encouraged Sherriff to surrender himself to Parole and Probation.
Police say he told the family member, "that (surrendering) is not an option." Police say that Sherriff indicated he would be unavailable the next few days since he would be "on a mission."
Friday classes had been cancelled but they are back in session today.
