News briefs for June 8, 2004

Tuesday, June 8, 2004 | 10:03 a.m.

Man nearly beaten to death

Metro Police investigators are looking for a suspect in the near-fatal beating of a Las Vegas man early this morning.

The man, whose name was not available this morning, was found unconscious in a trash bin in the 300 block of West Boston Avenue near Las Vegas Boulevard about 12:15 a.m. by a resident of a nearby apartment complex who was taking out her trash, Metro spokesman Jose Montoya said.

The man, who had extensive head wounds, was taken to University Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery this morning, police said.

The injuries were considered life-threatening, Montoya said.

"They couldn't talk to the individual," he said. "So right now they (investigators) don't have that many leads."

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Suspect fails to show for hearing

A 26-year-old man accused of vandalizing several Las Vegas Valley businesses and neighborhoods failed to show up for his arraignment Monday.

Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis issued a bench warrant for Christian Ortega's arrest because of his failure to appear.

Authorities allege Ortega marred 15 to 20 businesses, several residences, utility poles and streetlights in the area with both spray paint and acid in late 2003. The acid was used to etch the initials "D.K." and the word "provoke" on windows, authorities said.

Authorities found that same graffiti all over the concrete and surrounding walls at Winchester Park, a skate park at 3130 S. McLeod Drive, police said.

Ortega had moved to the Las Vegas Valley from Los Angeles shortly before the spree of vandalism, authorities said.

Tickets mount in crackdown

Metro Police issued 2,070 tickets June 1-5, part of the first week of the department's crackdown on violators of traffic laws, police said.

The crackdown is continuing, and from 6:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. today, officers planned to patrol the Decatur Boulevard and Flamingo Road area, Charleston and Nellis Boulevard, Pecos Road and Tropicana Avenue, and Cheyenne Avenue, Durango Drive and Rainbow Boulevard.

Nighttime patrols are scheduled from 9 p.m. to midnight along Tropicana from Las Vegas Boulevard South to Eastern Avenue.

A monthly calendar including enforcement locations is available at lvmpd.com.

First husband, son fight suspects

The husband and son of Montana's governor were identified as suspects in a weekend scuffle in the drivers' area of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway after a stock car race, police said Monday.

Harry Martz and his son, driver Justin Martz, 34, were named in an assault complaint by two people late Saturday, police spokesman Sgt. Rick Barela said.

No serious injuries were reported, no one was hospitalized and no charges were immediately filed, Barela said.

Chuck Butler, spokesman for Montana Gov. Judy Martz, confirmed Monday that Justin Martz drives stock cars, but said the governor was not at the Las Vegas track Saturday and would not comment.