LV man accused in casino thefts must submit to exams

Kim Smith

Tuesday, July 17, 2001 | 9:14 a.m.

A Las Vegas man who police say is the mastermind behind a series of casino robberies and a double homicide must submit to a medical examination and X-rays.

Chief Deputy District Attorney David Roger said he believes the exams will help prove Jose Vigoa is the man several witnesses say they saw limping away from the various crime scenes.

District Judge Kathy Hardcastle granted Roger's motion during a brief hearing Monday. Because of security concerns, Vigoa was not present in the courtroom. Instead, the defendant remained in the Clark County Detention Center and participated through video conferencing equipment.

Prosecutors maintain Vigoa, 40, and members of his family are responsible for seven casino heists and the slaying of two armored truck guards in Henderson.

Vigoa has been charged with four of the robberies and the armored car slayings, but his brothers-in-law, Luis Suarez, 36, and Pedro Rafael Duarte, 37, have been charged with only one casino robbery each.

A grand jury will meet for the second time today as prosecutors work to obtain evidence they hope will tie Suarez and Duarte to the other crimes.

Vigoa's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Drew Christensen, expressed concern about the medical exams Monday.

Christensen said he thought investigators went too far in March when they obtained permission to videotape his client and then went a step further by posing him in positions similar to those seen during the commission of the crimes.

Vigoa faces charges in connection with the robberies of the Bellagio on June 3, 2000, the MGM on Sept. 20, 1998, the Desert Inn on June 28, 1999, and the Mandalay Bay on Oct. 11, 1999.

In addition, Vigoa was charged with robbery and open murder in the holdup and slaying of two armored truck guards in Henderson on March 3, 2000.

Suarez faces charges in connection with the Bellagio heist and Duarte was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and/or murder in the MGM incident and five counts of attempted murder or attempted robbery in the Desert Inn heist. He also faces a charge of possession of a stolen vehicle.