News briefs for June 5, 2001

Tuesday, June 5, 2001 | 10:33 a.m.

Woman's car hits railroad signs

An 89-year-old Las Vegas woman died Sunday after the car she was driving struck a railroad crossing signal post.

Frances Kolar apparently nearly struck a car on Sunset Road at Eastern Avenue about 1 p.m. Sunday. She continued on Sunset, as a witness, who had called police, followed, Metro Police said.

Kolar turned onto Las Vegas Boulevard and was reportedly driving erratically. She then drove onto the median, and her car hit two railroad crossing warning signs before striking the signal post, police said.

Kolar, who was alone in the car, was taken to University Medical Center, where she died, police said.

Man dies after being hit by car

A 70-year-old Las Vegas man died Friday after being struck by a car as he was sitting on the sidewalk.

Abraham Cook was sitting on the sidewalk on Main Street near Foremaster Lane about 4:20 p.m. Friday when a car driven by John Graf, 59, of Las Vegas apparently drifted onto the sidewalk and hit him, Metro Police said.

Graf's car then struck a fence in front of MASH Village and a wooden power pole, police said. Cook was taken to University Medical Center, where he died at 9:21 p.m. Friday, officials said.

Graf had minor injuries, police said.

No charges have been filed against Graf pending further investigation by Metro Police.

Wells Fargo branch held up

Henderson Police are looking for the man who robbed a Wells Fargo Bank Monday morning.

The robbery at the bank at 101 N. Pecos Road occurred at 9:45 a.m., when a man walked inside and slipped a teller a note demanding money.

The robber escaped with an undisclosed amount, police said. He is described as white, in his early 30s, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 180 pounds. He is also described as having slicked down blond hair and was last seen wearing a green multi-colored shirt and baggy shin-length shorts.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 565-2009 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Elderly targeted in phone scheme

Investigators for the Nevada attorney general's office have arrested a man in connection with a telemarketing scheme targeting out-of-state elderly people.

Darin Notaro, 27, was arrested Friday after people were called and told that they had won a sweepstakes grand prize. Authorities said the victims were told that they had to make an income tax payment via Western Union before they could pick up their prize, authorities said.

Mayor's aide has police trouble

William Cassidy resigned as Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's chief of staff Friday after being charged with domestic violence.

According to the Metro Police report, four witnesses saw Cassidy arguing in the parking lot of China Town Plaza at Decatur Boulevard and Desert Inn Road early Friday morning. One of the witnesses called police after seeing Cassidy scratching and biting his girlfriend, Xiao Ping Wang, around the face and neck, according to the police report.

Wang had scratches on her arm and neck, a bite mark on her arm and bruises on her face, according to the police report.

Cassidy, who maintains his innocence, submitted his resignation Friday afternoon.

His resignation ends his two-year relationship at City Hall that was often marked with controversy. In August Cassidy was suspended without pay for one month for violating policies regarding the use of city-owned cell phones and computers.

38 residents forced to flee

A fire broke out at a southeastern Las Vegas apartment complex Monday night causing about $50,000 in damage and forcing 38 people from their homes.

The fire started at about 8 p.m. at the Wagon Trails Apartments, 3225 S. Pecos Road, a Clark County Fire Department spokesman said.

Fire officials say that the blaze started in an electric ceiling fan. Fire crews were able to contain the fire in two apartments, and the American Red Cross is helping the displaced residents with temporary shelter.

Exploitation of elderly charged

Metro Police have arrested a Las Vegas woman on charges of felony exploitation of the elderly in connection with $306,000 taken from two people in a 10-month period in 2000.

Katherine Hughes, 44, was arrested on Friday after a four-month investigation into her activity as an adviser for senior citizens while working under the business name of Asset Protection Services Inc., police said.

The business was located at 9101 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 105, police said.

Hughes has a prior felony conviction for theft out of Hawaii, police said.