News briefs for Nov. 27, 2002

Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002 | 11:18 a.m.

FBI searches for bank robber

Local FBI officials are asking for the public's help in locating a man suspected of robbing two banks last month.

The first robbery happened on Oct. 29 at Bank of America, 901 S. Rancho Drive. The suspect is described as Hispanic, 5-feet-6, 140 pounds, in his late 20s to early 30s with a slender build.

The second robbery occurred on Oct. 31 at a Bank of America at 1077 E. Sahara Ave. The suspect is described as similar to the first robber, except that the suspect is described as having a medium build and brown hair.

Anyone with information on these robberies or the possible suspect is asked to call the FBI at 385-1281.

DRI executive gets Missouri job

An administrator at the Desert Research Institute has been selected as new vice provost for research at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Jim Coleman, vice president for research and business development of DRI, will begin serving as vice provost this spring, the university said in a statement Tuesday.

In addition to his duties at the Desert Research Institute, Coleman also served as project director for Nevada's National Science Foundation Experimental Program to stimulate competitive research.

Pair named to veterinary board

Drs. William Taylor of Las Vegas and Craig Schank of Fallon have been named by Gov. Kenny Guinn to three-year terms on the state Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Taylor, owner of the Mountain View Animal Hospital, replaces Dr. Michael Kirk and Schank succeeds Bernard Cannon. The governor also reappointed Dr. Christopher Yach of Las Vegas and Beverly Willard of Carson City to three-year terms.

The seven-member board oversees the inspection of animal hospitals and regulates the profession.

Shotgun killer draws 2 life terms

A man convicted of killing his girlfriend with a shotgun in September 2001 was sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole Tuesday.

Kassard Omar Brown, 26, was convicted of first-degree murder and possession of a short-barreled shotgun in the slaying of Rebekah Hanson, 26.

During the trial Brown's attorneys tried to convince the jurors that he accidentally shot Hanson, thinking she was a burglar. Prosecutors, however, told jurors that Brown killed Hanson because she was leaving the couple's abusive relationship.

Warrant issued in gang slaying

An arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect in an apparent gang-related murder Nov. 5 in the 3800 block of North Nellis Boulevard, police said Tuesday.

Police are looking for Dwight Vann Williams, 25, described as a black man, 5-feet-9, 145 pounds, with numerous tattoos, including "114% Norteno," "Marion" and "A Thunderbird" on his neck, "LBL" on his left hand and "NS" on his right hand. He also has a large scar on his left forearm, Metro Police said.

Williams is wanted in the killing of Adam Ozuna, 24, of Las Vegas. Ozuna was shot on a sidewalk in the 3800 block of North Nellis around 10 p.m. Nov. 5, police said.

Sgt. Ken Hefner would not say what led police to charge Williams with the crime.

Police are asking that anyone with information on Ozuna's murder or the whereabouts of Williams call police at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Callers could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000, police said.

Gov. Kenny Guinn

today named Kreg Mebust of Sparks to the state Board of Landscape Architects, succeeding Vern Krahn, also of Sparks. The governor also reappointed Rich Shock of Sparks to a three-year term on the five-member board that regulates the industry.