Charges increase for robbery suspect who allegedly gave police false name

Investigators discovered the true identity of a suspect in an armed robbery and vehicle theft Wednesday after comparing his picture to a picture of the man he claimed to be.

David Cullen Theissen, 36, of Sparks, was booked into the Carson City Jail on suspicion of felony use of false identification to avoid prosecution, in addition to the charges he already faces.

He was arrested Wednesday morning under the name of Robert Steele Nash after the victim of a vehicle theft followed his stolen truck into Carson City, lost sight of it, then found it unoccupied in front of 702 S. Curry St.

A woman at the home allegedly told police Theissen arrived there in the truck and officers found the truck's keys and victim's credit cards inside the home. Surveillance footage also allegedly shows Theissen using the credit cards at a Carson City convenience store.

Theissen and his girlfriend, Dawn Fox, 36, of Carson City, are also suspected in an armed robbery just before 7 a.m. Wednesday in Stateline in which Theissen allegedly robbed a gas station attendant at gunpoint.

Officials suspect Theissen stole the truck from Cave Rock, after he ran out of gas following the gas station robbery.

His vehicle was found in Cave Rock with Fox inside. She was booked into the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance.

Charges have not yet been filed by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department in relation to the robbery.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.