News briefs for Feb. 14, 2003

Friday, Feb. 14, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.

Neiman painting stolen from mall

An original LeRoy Neiman painting valued at $39,500 was stolen Wednesday from the Centaur Sculpture Gallery in the Fashion Show mall, Metro Police said.

The painting, called "Golf Landscape," was slightly larger than the size of a piece of typing paper and was on the wall near the door. Police are looking for a man described as white with black hair, 45 to 50 years old, 5-feet, 8-inches and 150 pounds.

The gallery is offering a $5,000 reward. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Rundle trial scheduled May 5

William Rundle is scheduled to go to trial on May 5 on charges that he robbed and murdered his wife.

The decision was made at a status hearing before District Judge Kathy Hardcastle this morning.

Rundle's attorneys said they were still waiting for word from the Nevada Supreme court on a petition filed after Hardcastle denied a motion to suppress statements Rundle made to police regarding the death of his 87-year-old mother.

Securities fraud indictment issued

A Clark County grand jury has indicted a Henderson man on charges of security fraud violations, alleging he misused at least $20,000 for his personal use.

Paul K. Ray is charged with securities fraud, transacting business as an unlicensed investment adviser and theft by embezzlement, the state attorney general's office said today.

The indictment says a consumer invested $75,000 with Ray's investment club called "Captain Ray's Villages Inc." It alleges Ray assured the consumers this money would be invested in securities.

Deputy Attorney General Neil Rombardo, however, said that $20,000 was drawn from the account from various ATMs in Las Vegas casinos and used for personal expenses.

Gibbons panel vice chairman

Rep. Jim Gibbons, a long-standing defender of mining, ranching and other commercial users of federal lands, has been named vice chairman of the House Resources Committee.

"Jim has worked tirelessly on the issues before this committee," Chairman Richard Pombo, R-Calif., said in announcing the appointment.

Gibbons, R-Nev., is a former geologist and a longtime advocate of mine safety and mining rights. He founded the Congressional Mining Caucus and serves as its co-chairman.

It was the congressman's second appointment this week. He also was named to serve on the newly created House Select Committee on Homeland Security.

Gibbons also is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

Truckload of booze stolen

Reno Police are looking for a trailer full of booze -- and some thieves who either are lucky or have good taste.

A tractor rig and its 53-foot trailer were stolen from a casino parking lot Wednesday evening.

The tractor was recovered in Reno, minus the trailer and the booze.

Police said the trailer contained 827 cases of imported liquor, the value of which was not immediately known.

It's described as being white and dirty with a logo on its side for C&K Murrish, Great Falls, MT on the rear door.