News briefs for March 1, 2004

Monday, March 1, 2004 | 11:16 a.m.

Gunmen rob Harrah's casino

Harrah's on the Strip was robbed at gunpoint early Saturday morning by two men wearing "Gilligan" style fishing hats, Metro Police said.

The robbery took place about 12:50 a.m. The two men walked into the casino and went to the cash booth in the keno area. One of them pointed a gun at people in the keno area, forcing them to lie on the floor, police said.

The second man entered the cash booth and threw money into a black backpack he was carrying, and the pair then fled.

The two are described as black men, both 6 feet tall or taller, and both appearing to weigh at least 200 pounds. One wore a green jacket, white shirt, blue jeans and a gold fishing hat. He carried a silver revolver.

The other suspect wore black pants, white shoes, a blue fishing hat and carried a backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call Metro's robbery section at 229-3591 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Fourth indicted in auto theft case

Prosecutors have charged a fourth person in connection with a Las Vegas auto theft ring that authorities say targeted newly immigrated Hispanics.

A Clark County grand jury on Friday indicted Isabel Hernandez on charges stemming from the ring. Co-defendants Odell Benefield, Peter Gomoll and Richard Parcells were indicted in the case last week.

The indictment was unsealed before District Judge Michelle Leavitt. The judge issued a warrant for Hernandez's arrest with a bond amount of $80,000.

Authorities believe Benefield helped his co-defendants steal at least 15 vehicles from Dollar Thrifty Rent-a-Car, where Benefield was employed. Prosecutors say at least two of the stolen vehicles were sold to unsuspecting victims brought to the three defendants by Hernandez.

The three men were charged last week with 38 felony charges, including grand larceny auto and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Hernandez faces only four charges: grand larceny auto possession of a stolen vehicle, obtaining money under false pretenses and conspiracy to obtain money under false pretenses.

Woman killed in collision

A woman was killed Sunday afternoon when her vehicle was struck by a sport utility vehicle in the 4600 block of East Carey Avenue, between Lamb and Nellis boulevards.

The victim, identified this morning as 28-year-old Violeta Davis of Las Vegas, was driving a white sedan eastbound on Carey when a male driver drove a Ford Expedition northbound on Dolly Lane through a stop sign and struck the sedan, police said.

Witnesses told police the Ford SUV went over the white sedan, killing the female driver.

The male driver, said to be in his 20s, was treated for moderate injuries, police said.

Motorcycle rider dies in crash

A Las Vegas man was killed Sunday morning when a motorcycle collided with a Jeep in the 12000 block of West Charleston Boulevard about 7:30 a.m.

Anthony Shortman, 35, was driving a 1999 Ducati motorcycle eastbound on Charleston when the driver of a 1992 Jeep Cherokee Sport failed to yield and made a left turn into its path, police said.

The motorcycle hit the right side of the Jeep, causing the Jeep to roll onto its roof, police said.

Shortman was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The driver of the Jeep, 33-year-old Jeff Trower of Las Vegas, reported no injuries.

Suspect arrested in firearms case

Metro Police arrested a man Friday wanted on charges of firing shots at a man in a vehicle in a parking lot.

A Crime Stoppers tip told police Marcus Washington was staying in the 4200 block of North Commerce Avenue, police said.

Fugitive detectives set up surveillance and saw Washington and a woman enter a vehicle, police said. While detectives were following the car, Washington caught onto the surveillance and sped off, police said.

The car was later found abandoned. A police helicopter was used to spot Washington running through back yards, police said.

Soon after, detectives and patrol officers cornered Washington in a backyard storage shed, police said.

Washington was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on an attempted murder charge.

Two teens arrested in carjackings

Metro Police arrested two teenagers Friday in connection with multiple shootings and carjackings last month.

Manuel Ochoa, 18, and a juvenile suspect were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen handgun, and conspiracy to commit murder, police said.

The teenagers were wanted for the Feb. 15 carjackings of two vehicles in Las Vegas, police said. In one of the incidents, an elderly woman who owned a 1997 Ford Explorer was also shot, police said.

On Feb. 21 a man was shot by suspected gang members, police said, and his description of the suspects' vehicle matched the description of one of the vehicles stolen Feb. 15.

Lisa Foster, a 43-year-old lobbyist

for the American Automobile Association, will become deputy chief of staff for Gov. Kenny Guinn starting March 8, earning $105,000 a year. Foster fills the position left vacant when Michael Hillerby was elevated to chief of staff to succeed Marybel Batjer, who left to join the administration of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Spring Mountain Road eastbound

will be reduced to two lanes of traffic between Interstate 15 and Fashion Show Drive at Treasure Island Road through Saturday for emergency sewer line work. The Nevada Department of Transportation advises motorists to use lane restrictions as directed and to use alternate routes to avoid the work zone.