News briefs for April 18, 2005

Monday, April 18, 2005 | 11:04 a.m.

Valley stung by string of robberies

Metro Police are investigating a series of five robberies that happened early this morning, beginning in northwest Las Vegas and ending in the southwest.

The holdups occurred at 1:50 a.m. at the Green Valley Grocery at Vegas and Durango drives; at 2:20 at the Sin nightclub on Russell Road at Industrial Road; at 3:20 a.m. at the Gipsy bar on Paradise Road near Harmon Avenue; at 4:15 a.m. at Terrible's on Sunset Road near Spencer Street and at 4:45 p.m. at Roberto's Taco Stand on Warm Springs Road near Rainbow Boulevard.

Police are searching for three suspects who may be using a gold Dodge Intrepid.

Anyone with information about the robberies can call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555. Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Two sought in robbery, shooting

Metro Police are looking for two men in the robbery and shooting of a resident of an apartment complex near Nellis and Lake Mead boulevards at 1:40 a.m. Sunday.

The robbers accosted three residents, and apparently one did not understand or was moving too slowly for the two robbers, police said, and was shot.

A 26-year-old man was taken to University Medical Center and was declared dead on arrival, police said.

His name will be released through the coroner's office after his family is notified, police said.

Another resident at the apartments located on Kell Lane and Fulstone Way was robbed and the shooting victim's wallet was taken before the three robbers fled on foot, police said.

Police are looking for a black man in his mid to late 20s, 6 feet, 2 inches to 6 feet, 5 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a dark top over a white shirt. The second man is also a black man, 18 to 22 years old and 5 feet, 11 inches tall.

Anyone with information about the shooting and robbery who wishes to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Detention center death probed

North Las Vegas Police are investigating how a 52-year-old woman inmate died Sunday in her cell at the North Las Vegas Detention Center, police spokesman Tim Bedwell said.

Officials believe the woman suffered a medical emergency. There is no sign of foul play, Bedwell said.

The case will remain under investigation at least until the coroner issues an official cause of death and releases her identity, Bedwell said.

Officers discovered the woman at 4:30 a.m. and administered first aid, Bedwell said. The woman was rushed to North Vista Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Driver hunted in in hit and run

North Las Vegas Police are searching for a motorist who ran a stop sign and hit a motorcyclist at Alexander Road and Hamilton Street at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, police spokesman Tim Bedwell said.

The motorcyclist, who was not identified, was taken to University Medical Center where he was listed in critical, but not life-threatening, condition, Bedwell said.

Witnesses told police that a dark-skinned man was driving a primer gray and white 1980s Nissan or similar station wagon, Bedwell said.

There should be damage on the driver's side of the car, police said.

Anyone with information about this crime or the person driving such a vehicle can call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the North Las Vegas Police Department at 633-9111.

Fugitive gang member arrested

A Los Angeles gang member was arrested Friday by California authorities in connection with a drug-related attempted murder last year in Las Vegas, authorities said.

Gary Spencer, 25, allegedly shot and wounded a rival gang member in a drug dispute and fled to Los Angeles shortly after, Patrick Sedoti, Acting Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal said. A warrant was issued Dec. 24, 2004, by the Nevada Fugitive Investigative Team.

The team sent information about Spencer to the U.S. Marshals-led regional fugitive task force in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and he was apprehended without incident two days later, Sedoti said.

A man found shot to death

Thursday night in an alley near the Stratosphere has been identified as 38-year-old Lance D. Stewart of North Las Vegas. The homicide, in the 2300 block of Tam Drive about 6:45 p.m. Thursday, appears to have been drug-related, police said.