After crash, California couple charged for driving stolen car

Nov. 14--LAS CRUCES -- Police have arrested a California couple suspected of driving a stolen car to Las Cruces.

Sabrina May Burns, 20, and Christopher Cairati, 35, both from Santa Rosa, California, are charged with one count each of possession of a stolen vehicle and one count each of conspiracy. Burns was also charged with one count of being in possession of a controlled substance.

The Las Cruces Police Department reports in a news release officers were dispatched to a three-vehicle crash near the intersection of University Avenue and Locust Street on Nov. 8. No major injuries were reported but the release said officers discovered that one of the vehicles, a green Honda Civic, appeared to have a fictitious license plate. Officers then learned the vehicle had been reported stolen Nov. 4 in Santa Rosa.

Investigators learned that Burns and Cairati took turns driving the vehicle, which had a busted steering column and ignition switch, from California.

During the booking process, police said they learned that Burns was concealing methamphetamine and a glass pipe. She was also issued traffic citations for driving with a suspended license, no insurance, no registration and driving on a fictitious registration.

Burns and Cairati were booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center. They have since been released on bonds.

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