News briefs for June 4, 2002

Tuesday, June 4, 2002 | 9:47 a.m.

Man drives through airport fence

A man crashed a stolen Clark County truck through a fence at McCarran International Airport this morning and drove into a restricted area, airport officials said.

The man, who was in the taxi stand area of the airport about 3 a.m., reportedly verbally confronted people. He then confronted two custodians, apparently incoherently, airport spokeswoman Hilarie Grey said.

The man is accused of driving off in the custodians' yellow county truck, with Metro Police and county Department of Aviation officials in pursuit. The man drove the truck through a chain-link fence and onto the tarmac, Grey said.

She said while the area was restricted, the man was not able to drive near any planes, and airport operation was not shut down. No flights were delayed.

Hugh Schall, 45, was booked into the Clark County jail this morning on charges of grand larceny auto, malicious destruction of property, assault with a deadly weapon and evading police.

Police car hits, kills pedestrian

A 64-year-old woman was struck and killed when she walked into the path of a North Las Vegas Police car responding to a stolen vehicle call Monday night.

Rita Cole of North Las Vegas was in the 2000 block of Las Vegas Boulevard North near Lake Mead Boulevard when she crossed the street outside a crosswalk about 9:40 p.m., North Las Vegas Police said.

The officer was driving the police car with red lights and sirens on when, police say, Cole wandered into the street carrying some packages. It was not known how fast the police car was traveling.

The officer tried to swerve to avoid the woman, but she kept on walking into the street, witnesses said.

The officer's name was not released this morning. He was put on paid administrative leave Monday after the accident.

Girl, 15, is reported missing

Metro Police detectives are investigating the possible kidnapping of a 15-year-old Las Vegas girl.

The parents of Nera Murillo Baeza, who may also be using the last name of Hernandez, reported the 5-foot-6, 100-pound child missing. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt, white pants and brown sandals.

Detectives are seeking Francisco Rivera, also known as Andras Rivera, from Honduras. He is 35 years old, 5-foot-6 and 135 pounds. He was seen driving a white Honda two-door with Nevada license plate 101 NGT.

It is possible that Rivera and Baeza may be heading to South America, police said.

Anyone with information about Baeza or Rivera are asked to contact police immediately at 911, detectives at 229-3421 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Airliner evacuated because of smoke

An American Airlines flight from Los Angeles was evacuated at McCarran International Airport about 6 p.m. Monday after the crew smelled smoke.

Passengers existed the MD-80 jet by chute, McCarran public affairs manager Hilarie Grey said. No one was injured. The exact number of passengers was not known.

"It's an unusual event, but the evacuation was done as a precaution," Grey said.

The plane's final destination was Chicago.

Subcritical test is scheduled

The Energy Department's Lawrence Livermore Laboratory has scheduled a subcritical experiment on Thursday at the Nevada Test Site.

The scientific information produced from the experiments helps the National Nuclear Security Administration ensure the safety of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without conducting underground nuclear tests.

The last subcritical experiment in the Oboe series was supposed to have been on Dec. 13, but scientists determined one more experiment was needed.

Subcritical experiments use nuclear material, but do not create a critical mass, so there is no nuclear chain reaction.

The last subcritical experiment conducted at the Test Site was Vito on Feb. 14.

To date 16 subcritical experiments have been conducted at the Test Site since underground nuclear testing was halted in September 1992.

More stores open at Neonopolis

Now in its third week of operation, downtown Las Vegas' Neonopolis continues to celebrate openings.

New stores are opening almost daily in the three-story downtown mall at the corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard.

A Bear Creation and Rugs by Alexander debut this week on the second floor. In addition, Popolini, a locally owned establishment serving ice cream, pastries, coffee and other snacks, will open in the food court.