Beating victim is in critical condition

Tuesday, June 15, 2004 | 9:25 a.m.

If a 51-year-old Las Vegas man dies, a suspect already in custody in connection with his beating and robbery could face more charges, Metro Police said.

Michael Born, a retired Air Force major, was punched and robbed while working on his car outside a Wal-Mart store at Stewart Avenue and Nellis Boulevard last week, police said.

Born was in critical condition on life support this morning at the University Medical Center's Trauma Intensive Care Unit, hospital spokeswoman Cheryl Persinger said.

Police on Friday arrested a man captured on videotape leaving the store's parking lot after the attack. The video showed a man wearing a white T-shirt and white tennis shoes walking across the lot.

Detectives received numerous tips after the store's surveillance tape was released.

The suspect, 37-year-old Raymond Alton Garrett, was arrested without incident at his home and charged with robbery, battery and being a felon in possession of a gun, police said.

If Born does not survive, police said Garrett could face more charges.

Officers also believe Garrett is a suspect in another robbery and beating about an hour earlier. The victim was left with a broken jaw and missing teeth, police said.

In 1990 Garrett was convicted of robbery and burglary and sentenced to 15 years in prison.