Winnemucca Police Department

07/29/2026

Update!! Thank you for your help, we have identified him.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The Winnemucca Police Department would like to speak with this individual as part of an investigation we are conducting. If you know who he is, please contact Humboldt County Dispatch at 775-623-6396 or Secret Witness at 775-623-6969 and let us know. Thank you for your help!!@

07/22/2026

This morning a mountain bike was located abandoned on Lay St. If you find you are missing a mountain bike, contact the Winnemucca Police Department at 775-623-6396 to describe and reclaim.

07/17/2026

07/07/2026

If you've noticed our quiet little town getting a bit busier lately, you're not alone! With the increase in traffic this summer, the Winnemucca Police Department has increased motorcycle patrols to help keep our roads safe.

Officer Krause and Officer Whittaker have been doing an outstanding job with traffic enforcement, and we're excited to announce that Officer Richey has recently earned his Motor Officer certification and has joined the team.

If you see one of our Motor Officers out on patrol, give them a wave! They're out there to help make our streets safer for everyone. And remember, the best way to avoid meeting them during a traffic stop is to drive safely and follow the rules of the road.

07/07/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest Officer. Braden Chandler joined our department on June 15th and will be attending the Nevada POST Academy in Carson City in mid July.

06/29/2026

**********Updated message from Vitalant***********

Dear Winnemucca Community,

There is currently a critical need for O type blood. Vitalant is urging all blood donors, especially those with type O blood, to make an appointment now to give in the coming days and weeks. Remember, blood can only come from generous donors like you—this precious gift cannot be manufactured, and there is no substitute. Help prevent delays in lifesaving medical care, schedule an appointment to donate today.

Winnemucca Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Tues. July 14th from 1:00pm-6:00pm

Wed. July 15th from 9:00am-2:00pm

Donate at Winnemucca Convention Center– 50 W. Winnemucca Blvd

Sign up by visiting www.vitalant.org/winnemucca or call Vitalant at 775-329-6451.

Have a great day!

Sign up for the Battle of the Badges blood drive and be sure to vote for us while you are there.

06/25/2026

Humboldt County, meet Charlie!

06/22/2026

Hey Winnemucca, this is Sofiia. She is college student from Ukraine in our town to hopefully sell some educational books. She has obtained all the proper permits and will being going door to door to see if you are interested in what she is selling.

06/17/2026

The Winnemucca Police Department Investigation’s Division has announced the arrest of Laurance Ward. The joint operation involved an investigation conducted by the Elko Police Department and continued into the jurisdiction of the Winnemucca Police Department regarding the Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

The Elko Police Department received CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the downloading of CSAM through popular social media applications. The report identified several images and video files depicting the sexual abuse of minor victims.

The Elko Police Department ICAC TFO launched a comprehensive digital investigation, which traced the activity to a residence in the City of Winnemucca, State of Nevada. A search warrant was obtained for associated online accounts, uncovering an additional substantial volume of CSAM images and videos.

Authorities from the Elko Police Department and the Winnemucca Police Department executed a residential search warrant at the identified home, seizing multiple digital devices for forensic examination with the assistance of Elko Police Department’s Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9. A digital forensics analysis was later complete and confirmed the presence of illicit materials on the electronic devices.

With the assistance from the Winnemucca Police Department’s ICAC TFO, the Winnemucca Police Department was able to obtain an arrest warrant for Laurance Ward, who was already in custody at the Elko County Sheriff’s Detention Facility on related charges. Laurance Ward was arrested on the following 87 Felony Criminal Charges filed by the Winnemucca Police Department and the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office that include:

NRS 200.730 – Possession of Visual Presentation of Child Sexual Abuse Material.

NRS 200.727 – Use of Internet to Control Visual Presentation of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Bail Amount - $1,730,000.00 Cash or Bond

The Winnemucca Police Department works closely with the Elko Police Department and the Northern Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (Washoe County Sheriff’s Office) to combat child exploitation in digital spaces.

If you have any information relating to this investigation, please contact Winnemucca Police Detective Cory Dunckhorst at, 775-623-6396 or, Elko Police Department Detective Cassandra Barainca at, 775-777-7310.