Couple arrested in auto-theft probe

Jennifer Knight

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003 | 9:15 a.m.

A man and his wife were arrested Wednesday for running what police called a high-level VIN-switching operation out of their home in Henderson.

Randall Ray Scott and Sandra Scott, both 50, were arrested by Metro Police in connection with an auto theft ring, police said.

It was the latest in a string of arrests that have stemmed from the search of a pet grooming store on East Flamingo Road on Jan. 8.

It was the second arrest this month for Randall Scott, a former code enforcement officer for the city of Henderson. His first arrest, on Jan. 9, turned up an estimated $150,000 in stolen property, but police asked for a second warrant after learning that there was more equipment that had not been recovered, Metro Police Sgt. Susan Shingleton said.

Shingleton is a member of VIPER, the Vehicle Investigations Project for Enforcement and Recovery, an auto theft task force.

Wednesday's raid in the 2200 block of Thoroughbred Avenue turned up several boats, construction equipment and a personal watercraft. Police believe the Scotts were removing the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) from stolen cars and replacing them with numbers from salvaged cars.

"He's one of the best VIN-switchers that we've seen," Shingleton said. "There's a lot of money to be made doing this."

The arrests were the result of a two-month investigation. Police were led to the Scotts after searching Artistic Pet, the pet grooming store on East Flamingo, Shingleton said.

A search of the shop on Jan. 8 ended with the arrest of owner Graham Pickett, 32. Pickett was charged with grand larceny auto, possession of stolen vehicles and altering vehicle identification numbers.

During the search, police also discovered 51 emaciated dogs that were living in unclean conditions. The animals have since been taken to the Dewey Animal Center.

Eight of the dogs were returned to Pickett. Even though Pickett was accused of animal abuse, the law allows him to reclaim the dogs because they are considered his property, said David March, a senior animal control officer with Clark County Animal Control.

"Because animals are property under the law, we can't withhold their property without a court order," March said.

Four other dogs also have been reclaimed by their owners. The rest of the dogs remain at the shelter.

A total of 15 arrests have resulted from the initial raid of the pet shop. This particular auto theft ring is relatively small compared to others that VIPER has been involved in, police said.

Stealing cars is big business in Las Vegas. In 2001, 13,680 cars were stolen in Clark County. Shingleton said the VIPER unit still has a way to go before closing the book on this investigation.

"We've kind of just touched the tip of the iceberg with these thefts," Shingleton said. "We keep finding more and more people as we go along."