News briefs for February 4, 2002

Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.

Suspected vehicle is discovered

After a tip to the Secret Witness hotline, Metro Police about noon on Friday found a gray Lincoln Continental suspected in a fatal hit-and-run accident with a bicyclist.

The car was discovered at the Charleston Wood Apartments, 2900 E. Charleston Blvd. No charges have been filed, police said, and the investigation is continuing.

A Lincoln Continental was northbound on Nellis Boulevard about midnight Jan. 27 when 53-year-old Gary J. Miller of Las Vegas rode a bicycle into the path of the car and was struck. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Marines arrest suspect Flores

A Marine Corps lance corporal who was granted a new trial last week was taken into custody by the Marines and placed in the brig in San Diego Friday.

Marine Corps spokesman Lt. Joshua Rushing said Lance Cpl. Raymond Flores, who has been working in a Marine Reserve unit in Las Vegas, was arrested Friday morning.

Rushing said Flores faces a grand jury-type proceeding in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a Las Vegas woman. Flores will remain locked up in the brig at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station until the resolution of his case.

Flores was convicted and sentenced to 10 to 25 years in connection with the rape here, but District Judge Kathy Hardcastle granted him a new trial Wednesday after a fellow Marine first confessed to the crime and then recanted.

Clark County prosecutors intend to appeal Hardcastle's decision in the hopes Flores will one day have to serve out his sentence in a Nevada prison.

Harris convicted in cop shooting

A Las Vegas man accused of partially blinding a Metro Police officer during a restaurant robbery could end up with three consecutive life sentences after being convicted Friday on multiple felony counts, including attempted murder.

Darnell Harris, 22, had been offered a deal guaranteeing him a minimum of 37 years in prison, but he rejected it.

Harris was one of three men accused of robbing the Macayo Vegas restaurant on West Charleston Boulevard in June 2000. As they were leaving the restaurant, they ran into Officer Pete Rossi. Prosecutors said Harris opened fire, striking Rossi in the face and causing him to lose sight in one eye.

Markus Weatherspoon is serving 37 years to life in prison in connection with the case, and getaway driver Tamika Beavers is serving four to 10 years. Terrance Winn is serving 20 to 50 years.

District Judge Donald Mosley will sentence Harris March 13.

Slain man is identified

The 27-year-old man found shot to death in a hallway of the Polo Towers on the Strip was identified as Aldolfo Agramonte of Las Vegas.

Hotel security responding to the second floor Friday about 12:20 a.m. for the report of a commotion and found Agramonte slain, Metro Police said.

No suspects have been arrested.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call Metro Police at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Motorcyclist killed in collision

A 48-year-old female passenger involved in a fatal motorcycle accident shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday was upgraded from critical over the weekend to fair condition this morning, a University Medical Center spokesman said.

The driver of the red 1999 Harley-Davidson, James E. Mitchell, 52 of North Las Vegas, was killed in the head-on collision with a pickup.

The motorcycle, traveling west on Craig Road in the center turn lane, collided with a Toyota pickup that was traveling east, also in the center lane, North Las Vegas Police said.

Both people on the motorcycle were thrown onto the roadway. The driver, 52, was pronounced dead at UMC.

The Toyota driver was not injured.

Police said that improper use of the center turn lane by both drivers caused the accident. Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor. The accident is still under investigation, police said.