RENO — On Thursday, detectives from the Reno Police Department and the Washoe County School Police Department obtained two misdemeanor warrants for the arrest of Thomas Alvarez, a subject of interest related to two of the recent luring investigations that occurred during the past two months in the city of Reno.

The Reno Police Department connected Alvarez to a Sept. 28 case where he allegedly approached a 17-year-old female victim in the 900 block of South Center Street. He grabbed her and held her tightly against his body. The victim in this case told police officers that Alvarez was wearing a T-shirt that had the phrase “I need a hug” written on it. The victim gave a very detailed description of Alvarez and his vehicle to detectives assigned to the Reno Police Department Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit.  

During the ongoing investigation into the luring cases detectives and patrol officers have been conducting surveillance near several schools in the city of Reno. During a surveillance, they saw and contacted Alvarez driving in the area of McQueen High School in northwest Reno. Upon further investigation, a warrant for battery was obtained Thursday for Alvarez’s arrest related to the Sept. 28 incident.

Alvarez also was connected to a Washoe County School Police Department case from Sept. 29, where he approached a female student walking home from McQueen High School in the area of Robb Drive and Walnut Creek Road. Alvarez pulled up next to the victim in this case in his vehicle and started to flirt with her and asked her for a hug. The victim in this case ran home to get away from suspect Alvarez. Upon further investigation by detectives, a warrant for interference with a child while going to and from school was obtained Thursday for Alvarez’s arrest related to this incident. 

Alvarez is described as a 33-year-old Hispanic male about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds with short black hair. He currently drives a black 2005 Honda S-2000 convertible bearing New Mexico license plates KBL840.

If anyone knows where Alvarez is or locates him or his vehicle, call 9-1-1 or contact Secret Witness at 322-4900.