Local news briefs for August 25, 2000

Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 | 11:13 a.m.

Convenience stores targets of robber

Metro Police are searching for a suspect in six convenience store robberies this month, including three in about a five-hour period this week.

The robber went into the stores late at night or early morning hours and asked the clerk for a carton of cigarettes. The robber would then demand money, either stating he had a gun or -- on at least one occasion -- pulling out a gun, police said.

The same man is suspected of robberies on Aug. 6, Aug. 10, Aug 12 and two on Tuesday and one Wednesday, police said.

The man is described as black, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 180 pounds, with short hair, a moustache and a goatee.

Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to call Metro's robbery unit at 229-3591 or Secret Witness 385-5555.

Autopsy planned to determine cause

Metro Police are investigating the death of a 36-year-old Las Vegas man found in a downtown motel room Thursday morning.

The man's death appears to be a homicide, but the cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.

Motel workers found the man's body about 11:30 a.m. Thursday when they went in to clean the room, police said.

17-year-old identified as victim

A teen found dead in a Las Vegas apartment Wednesday has been identified as 17-year-old Andre Bell, Metro Police said.

Detectives investigating his death have determined he was shot in the head, police said.

A woman called 911 reporting a shooting in an apartment in the 1400 block of Garden Circle near Maryland Parkway and Hacienda Avenue Wednesday about 3:20 p.m. Officers found the teen dead in the living room.

The teen's slaying was the 65th homicide so far this year in Metro's jurisdiction compared with 66 at the same time last year.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Metro's homicide unit at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Cabdriver hit by forklift

A 36-year-old Las Vegas cabdriver died this morning after he was hit by a forklift downtown.

The forklift, driven by Robert Young, was heading north on Casino Center Boulevard near Carson Avenue about 1 a.m. The 36-year-old victim was standing outside his cab talking to another person, Metro Police said.

The forklift drove by the man, who tried to climb on top of the cab's hood to get out of the way, but the forklift struck him and dragged him under the machine, police said.

The man's name was not released this morning pending the notification of his family.

Las Vegas Councilmen

Lawrence Weekly and Michael Mack will help Aid for AIDS of Nevada kick off a fund-raising party Saturday at the Hard Rock. The poolside party begins at 8 p.m. Attendees are asked to dress in black and white and bring $25 in food and sundries for AFAN's pantry, or a $35 cash donation. The councilmen have each donated prizes for a raffle during the event.

The city of Las Vegas

will distribute free backpacks and school supplies during a Back to School Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza.