News briefs for December 7, 2004

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004 | 9:20 a.m.

Suspect in fatal stabbing arrested

A 46-year-old California man wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man in Las Vegas on Nov. 24 surrendered to authorities in Los Angeles on Sunday, Metro Police said.

Homicide detectives had issued a warrant for the arrest of Rudy Distrito in connection with the slaying of Juan Amaya, 24 at 4805 Deckow Lane.

Distrito surrendered to the FBI, and agents turned him over to Los Angeles Police, Sgt. Mike Thompson said. Distrito is to be extradited to Las Vegas, authorities said.

Distrito was in Las Vegas visiting family for Thanksgiving when Amaya was killed.

Teen suspect to be tried as adult

A 16-year-old boy accused of killing a teen of the same age last month will stand trial as an adult, prosecutors said Monday.

Michael Jones is charged with murder in connection with the death of Rayshond Jones at Lake Mead and Martin Luther King boulevards.

A Metro Police officer on patrol heard gunshots near Doolittle Park in the 900 block of Doolittle Avenue about 11 p.m. on Nov. 28 and saw five males running toward a parked car at a nearby apartment complex, police said.

Police stopped the young men and found several guns in the car.

Officers arrested Michael Jones, released two teenagers to their parents, released an adult and arrested another adult on an unrelated warrant.

Police are investigating whether the shooting was gang- or drug-related.

Nevada law requires anyone older than 8 years old to be treated as adult if charged with murder or attempted murder.

Michael Jones' arraignment is set for Thursday in Las Vegas Justice.

Killing over stereo draws life term

A man convicted of killing an acquaintance during a dispute over a stereo was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison by District Judge Nancy Saitta on Monday.

A Clark County jury convicted Michael Adkisson, 32, of second-degree murder in September for the Feb. 18 shooting of Steve Borgens, 32.

Police and paramedics found Borgens suffering from a gunshot wound in his chest in the driveway of his home in the 2200 block of Saxton Hill Avenue near Martin Luther King and Lake Mead boulevards. Adkisson left the scene but was stopped by patrol officers a short distance away.

Prosecutors contend the shooting occurred after Adkisson confronted Borgens about stereo speakers he claimed Borgens left at another person's house.

Arrest made in October slaying

Metro Police arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with a killing outside Boulder Station on Oct. 7.

Anthony Cajoe was booked into the Clark County Detention Center Friday on a murder warrant charging him with the death of Prince Albert Tillman, 49, and the attempted murder of Rasul Sykes, 26.

The shooting was the result of an argument between Sykes and his neighbor, 20-year-old Timothy Coleman, at the Town and Country Manor residential motel at 5390 Boulder Highway, police said.

Sykes began walking down the highway and became concerned about his safety when Coleman began following him in a car.

Sykes asked Tillman to pick him up, and another car driven by Coleman's friends started tailing them, the police report says.

At a red light Cajoe and two other young men jumped out of their vehicle and argued with Sykes and Tillman, police said. Tillman pulled into Boulder Station to try to get away from his pursuers, but they blocked him in and Cajoe allegedly opened fire.

Sykes was shot in the left shoulder and survived. Tillman was dead at the scene.

Cajoe is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

Fire department to get U.S. grant

The Henderson Fire Department will receive a $103,500 federal grant as part of a new federal program aimed at strengthening local emergency response teams, Nevada lawmakers announced.

The money, approved by Congress last month, was part of a $750 million federal program administered by the Department of Homeland Security with a focus on rural and suburban fire departments.

About 8,000 fire departments nationwide benefit. This was the first year for the grant program.

The money will be used for additional training and equipment, Henderson city manager Phil Speight said.

Comments asked on department plan

Las Vegas officials are seeking public comment about the Department of Detention and Enforcement as that department goes through the process of reaccreditation.

Members of the public interested in providing their input can attend a meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday at the East Las Vegas Community Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave.

Oral comments can also be submitted from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday by calling 229-6714. Written comments should be addressed to: The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030-2215.