Suspect Arrested & Charged in Connection to Dealership Car Theft

Stephen Christie

A Reno man has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter charges days after being linked to a string of stolen vehicles, robberies and car chases.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports (http://on.rgj.com/1JYK8EG) 27-year-old Stephen Christie pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charges on Wednesday. The charges stem from the July death of 27-year-old Alejandro Sandoval, who was struck and killed in a traffic accident.

Christie faces 10 charges, including vehicular manslaughter, armed robbery and eluding police.

Police connected Christie to a stolen vehicle and arrested him Monday after a chase.

Authorities say stolen vehicles have been used in recent robberies at a Walmart and a Ford dealership.

Christie was expected to enter pleas to the other charges Thursday.

His attorney has declined to comment on the manslaughter case.

Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com  (AP)