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Stalker must give his DNA

Christina Proctor

A man convicted of stalking a woman for more than three years will have his DNA patterns kept on file.

Steven Edwin Ahrens pleaded guilty to breaking into the woman’s home, taking her personal clothing, and to stalking her from his nearby residence in Stateline. Douglas County prosecutors said criminals, like Ahrens, convicted of second offense stalking are required to submit to testing to determine genetic markers. Investigators then have a record of the individual’s DNA as well as fingerprints in case they commit similar crimes in the future.

Investigators found numerous photographs of the woman – some of them enlarged and framed – in Ahrens’ home. The 35-year-old had also videotaped the woman’s front door, and kept a record of comings and goings from the house.



Last week, Ahrens was sentenced to more than six months in the Douglas County Jail and three years probation. Terms of his probation include: completing any counseling or treatment recommended by a mental health evaluation; to not be employed or work as a locksmith; to forfeit all items seized from his house including the video equipment and locksmith tools; to not possess or use pornography; to have no contact with the victim or her family; and to relocate at least 10 miles away from the woman.

Ahrens met the woman at the Lakeside Inn & Casino, while he was working as a cook. She was a waitress. The woman told investigators that she was friends with Ahrens, but ended the relationship when Ahrens abruptly asked her to commit to him. She said he became angry and his “bizarre” behavior began.



Ahrens made a key to the woman’s home in August of 1998. He followed her during her daily activities and had even rummaged through her trash, keeping certain items, investigators said.


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