News briefs for December 13, 2004

Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 | 10:58 a.m.

Change booth robbed at Orleans

Metro Police were searching for several armed robbers this morning, including one who robbed a change booth in the casino at the Orleans.

The robbery occurred about 4:30 a.m. today at the hotel, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., Lt. Chuck Mangrum said. A black man with reddish-brown dredlocks and a blue hooded sweatshirt pulled over his face pointed a small gun at a cashier and demanded cash.

He was last seen running toward the nearby Emerald Suites hotel, Mangrum said.

Two other businesses were also reported to have been hit by armed robbers overnight -- Screwballs Sports Lounge and Restaurant, 2460 W. Warm Springs Road, and Jerry's Chevron, 3965 E. Charleston.

Comments sought on Henderson Police

The public can submit comments about Henderson Police at a public information session today regarding the department's accreditation.

The session will begin at 7 p.m. in the Henderson City Council Chambers at 240 Water St. Those who cannot attend may phone in comments to 565-5174 today from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

A team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies is visiting and evaluating all aspects of the department as part of a voluntary accreditation process.

Suspect arrested in shooting death

Metro Police on Friday arrested a man wanted in connection with Thursday's slaying of 38-year-old Kevin Clark.

William Kinsey, 21, is charged with muder with the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime. He was arrested after a brief standoff that afternoon at a home in the 1700 block of North Marion Drive near Cheyenne Avenue and Lamb Boulevard, authorities said.

Clark was shot after an argument along Lamont Street, police said.

Teen sought in fatal shooting

Metro Police this morning were looking for a 17-year-old boy who they believe shot and killed one teen and injured another in a convenience store parking lot early Saturday.

Police said they believe the shooting was gang-related.

Officers say the teen who fired the shots had approached the two victims and two of those boys' friends as they sat a car parked in the store's parking lot at Bonanza Road and Eastern Avenue about 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Reports say he walked up to the vehicle and fired directly into the car.

Both boys were taken to University Medical Center, where Hunter Lopez, 17, later died. The other boy suffered minor wounds and had been released from the hospital this morning.

The shooter was described as a 17-year-old Hispanic male, 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds. He was last seen with two other teenage boys and was wearing a black beanie, black denim jacket, white T-shirt and black jeans, police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call Metro's homicide section at 229-3521.

Douglas County ranches threatened

Douglas County will lose its ranching community in 20 years unless something is done to make the business more profitable, two county commissioners warn.

Developers are paying premium prices for land, but encouraging agribusiness could stem the tide and slow growth, Commissioner Jim Baushke.

Research is ongoing at UNR concerning wine grapes, and Baushke hopes the growth of that industry will be feasible here in the coming years.