Man wanted in New York killing found in Las Vegas

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 | 9:43 a.m.

A man wanted in connection with the homicide of a mother of three in northern New York in January was arrested in Las Vegas over the weekend.

John M. Beers, 38, was picked up by members of the Criminal Apprehension Team Saturday morning after he checked into the Sunset Motel, 6000 S. Boulder Highway, using his real name and address.

Beers was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on second-degree murder charges and is awaiting extradition back to Irondequoit, N.Y.

On Jan. 24 Joan M. Smith, 34, was found beaten to death in her bed by her three children ranging from 10 to 16-years-old.

Beers, Smith's live-in boyfriend, was considered a suspect by police who hadn't been able to find him, Irondequoit authorities said.

The apprehension team, made up of law enforcement officials from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Metro, Henderson and North Las Vegas police, had Beers under surveillance at the motel for the better part of a day as they waited for Rochester, N.Y., detectives to arrive in Las Vegas, Metro Sgt. Al Cervantes said.

The arrest brings the fugitive apprehension team's total for the year to about 150, Cervantes said.

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