News briefs for March 13, 2003

Thursday, March 13, 2003 | 10:04 a.m.

Five indicted in tax case

Five Las Vegas residents have been indicted for tax fraud by a federal grand jury.

David Bethley, 30, Johning Walker, 29, Miko Fields, 29, Andrew Thomas, 26, and Thomas Wilridge, 36, are named in the 30-count indictment filed Tuesday.

The indictment alleges that the group recruited people to submit false tax returns to the IRS electronically between Feb. 1, 2001, and April 15, 2002. The refunds claimed were in excess of $130,000, according to the indictment.

All five defendants are charged with conspiracy to defraud the government, as well as charges of false and fraudulent tax claims and aiding and abetting.

Pedestrian killed by pickup truck

Metro Police are investigating the death of a pedestrian about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday who was struck by a red pickup truck that failed to stop after the accident.

The male victim, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene, Lt. William Redfairn said. The Clark County coroner's office had not released the victim's name this morning.

Evidence and witness reports indicate the man was crossing Twain Avenue near Maryland Parkway when the eastbound truck struck him, police said.

Anyone with information about the accident or the pickup truck is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.