News briefs for July 23, 2001

Monday, July 23, 2001 | 10:44 a.m.

Victim, 25, shot to death

Metro Police homicide detectives are asking for the public's help in solving a murder inside a crowded bar early Saturday morning.

After receiving a 911 call about 12:30 a.m., police found Charles B. Fields, 25, shot to death in the men's bathroom at the Heritage Lounge, 1012 W. Owens Ave.

The lounge was full of people at the time of the shooting, but a large number of people fled the area before police arrived, police said.

The suspect is described as a black man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 250 pounds and about 25 years-old. He was last seen wearing dark clothing, police said.

Anyone with information about a motive for the shooting, or the identity of the suspect is asked to call detectives at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Fugitive from New York arrested

The Las Vegas Criminal Apprehension Team arrested a 21-year-old man Thursday on a charge of murder out of Queens, New York.

Richard Ditommaso was arrested at an apartment complex in the 5000 block of West Hacienda Avenue by members of the fugitive task force in connection with an Oct. 1, 1999, homicide in Queens.

Ditommaso and another man, Michael Antinuche, are accused of shooting Michael Siefert in a railroad yard in Queens.

Antinuche is in custody in New York, and Ditommaso is scheduled to be extradited to New York, police said.

The Criminal Apprehension Team is made up of representatives from the FBI, the U.S. Marshal Service and North Las Vegas, Henderson and Metro Police.

19-year-old man killed in NLV

North Las Vegas Police are investigating a Sunday morning homicide near the intersection of Lake Mead and Las Vegas boulevards.

Vernon Craft, 19, who was shot several times, was taken to University Medical Center, where he died shortly after arriving, Lt. Chris Larotonda said.

No witnesses of the shooting could be found by police, and there is little for detectives to go on at this point, Larotonda said.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call police at 633-9111 or call Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Police seeking two men in robbery

Metro Police robbery detectives are looking for the two men who held up a market July 6.

The Latino Mercado, 2538 E. Charleston Blvd., was robbed by the pair, who ordered the store's employees to the floor and took money from the store's safe, police said.

The robbers, described as Hispanic, fled in a white, late 90s minivan with a California plate, police said.

The first man is described as 32 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing between 160 and 170 pounds with a stocky build. He was clean shaven and had black hair.

The second man is between 25 and 30 years old, between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighing between 140 and 150 pounds. He had black wavy hair, was clean shaven and had acne scars on his face. He was armed during the robbery, and was possibly carrying a fully automatic machine gun, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 229-3591 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Minnesota woman dies after crash

A 68-year-old Minnesota woman was killed Friday morning when the pickup she was a passenger in collided with an oncoming pickup on Boulder Highway.

Marian Applen was headed southbound on Boulder Highway at Russell Road about 8:30 a.m., with Duane Jacobsen, a 60-year-old Minnesotan. Jacobsen attempted to make a left turn onto Russell despite a red left turn arrow, and collided with an oncoming truck, Metro Police said.

Applen was taken to University Medical Center and died in the emergency room. Jacobsen and the driver of the second pickup were also taken to UMC, where they were treated for moderate injuries, police said.

Police say driver failed to yield

A 27-year-old motorcyclist was killed Saturday night when a car failed to yield the right of way while attempting a U-turn, police said.

The accident happened about 10:30 p.m. on Flamingo Road west of Jones Boulevard, Metro Police said.

The motorcyclist was thrown from his bike in the collision and died at the scene, police said.

No charges have been filed against the driver of the other vehicle, pending further investigation, police said.

Indictment charges racketeering, fraud

A criminal indictment filed by the attorney general's Bureau of Consumer Protection charges two men with racketeering and securities fraud.

Arnold Fisher Jr., 62, and Rosa Dietz, 37, are named in the indictment that alleges the pair falsely stated that they operated Nucleus Marketing Inc. It is alleged that the company defrauded Las Vegas residents out of more than $100,000.

The indictment further alleges that Fisher and Dietz fraudulently sold shares of stock in their defunct corporation, and requested fees from individuals for travel, lodging and business expenses.

Defendant fails to appear; arrested

Investigators with the Nevada Securities Division have arrested a man convicted of multiple counts of securities fraud involving a Cuban cigar investment scheme.

Peter Cobo pleaded guilty to three counts of securities fraud on Aug. 31 and was ordered to pay restitution of more than $170,000, but Cobo failed to appear for sentencing on Nov. 14 and failed to pay the first of four restitution installments of $42,605, a spokeswoman with the secretary of state's office said.

Cobo was again arrested in December but was released on his own recognizance, and again failed to appear for his sentencing.

Cobo was arrested again Wednesday night in a Henderson bookstore, and is being held at the Clark County Jail.

Prosecutors say Cobo solicited investors by claiming to have personal involvement in U.S.-Cuban negotiations and represented to investors that the trade embargo against Cuba was about to be lifted.

Woman killed in rollover

A rollover accident in Mesquite claimed the life of a 19-year-old St. George woman Saturday morning.

The 16-year-old driver of a Ford Explorer lost control of the sport utility vehicle, causing it to roll, Metro Police said.

The 19-year-old was sitting in the back seat, and was thrown from the SUV as it rolled.

Loan company worker pulls gun

Robbery detectives are looking for a man who attempted to rob a cash-loan business on Thursday but was frightened away by an armed employee.

Police said the would-be robber asked an employee of Koster's Cash Loans, 3839 W. Sahara Ave., about a loan, and then pulled a pistol and demanded money.

The employee then pulled a gun, and the man fled, police said.

The man is described as black, in his late 20s, 6 feet 1 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, and was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information about the robbery attempt is asked to call police at 229-3591 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

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