News briefs for Jan. 26, 2004

Monday, Jan. 26, 2004 | 11:13 a.m.

Autopsy scheduled on man's body

An autopsy was scheduled today on the body of a man found nude Sunday by dirt bikers in the desert north of town, Metro Police said.

The body was found 1 p.m. near Las Vegas Boulevard North about three miles north of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"It has not yet been determined to be a homicide," Metro Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said today, noting it is routine for homicide detectives participate in investigations of bodies found in the desert, in case they turn out to be slayings.

"It was curious to us that he was nude and that some clothing was found several hundred yards away. But there was no obvious sign of blunt trauma to the body."

Monahan said the man is believed to have been dead at the remote location for a matter of days.

Three men injured in pickup crash

Three Las Vegas men were injured, two critically, when the pickup truck they were in spun out, crashed and burst into flames Sunday at Nellis Boulevard and Harris Avenue, Metro Police said.

The accident occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m., when a 1986 GMC pickup that was traveling southbound on Nellis spun out of control, went into northbound lanes, up onto a sidewalk and hit a large sign in a parking lot at 731 N. Nellis Blvd., where the truck caught fire, police said.

The driver and both of his passengers were taken to the University Medical Center Trauma Center with varying injuries.

Driver Efrain Blue, 27, and Porfirio Cuellarbalerio, 41, were in critical condition today. Ramon Torres, 22, was discharged early today, the hospital said.

Police said alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the accident.

Three arrested in rental car thefts

Metro Police arrested three men earlier this month who they believe were involved in an auto theft ring in which the men sold at least 36 stolen rental cars to unsuspecting individuals, police said.

Odell Benefield, Richard Parcells and Peter Gomoll were arrested Jan. 15 and charged with numerous counts of grand larceny auto, police said.

According to police, the men stole vehicles from Thrifty and Dollar car rental companies and sold them to unsuspecting victims, targeting the area's Hispanic community.

Police have recovered 16 vehicles and believe another 20 are missing.

Police are asking anyone with additional information about this case contact investigators at 229-1966 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Officer identified in fatal shooting

The Metro Police officer who shot and killed a man suspected in a home invasion Wednesday has been identified as patrol Officer John Evans, police said.

The shooting killed Keith Maurice Williams, 24, of Las Vegas.

Evans, 29, has been with Metro since March 1997.

Around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Evans and other officers caught up with three suspects on the 1200 block of Silver Prospect. The three were considered suspects in a home invasion robbery on the 4100 block of North Durango Drive that had just occurred.

Police said that while trying to run away from the police, Williams pointed a gun at an officer. Police said a handgun was found near William's body.

The other two suspects were caught and arrested.

Dewan Blackburn, 24, and Bruce Bolden, 23, both of Las Vegas, were charged with murder because a death happened during the commission of a felony. They were also charged with multiple counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and home invasion.