Three arrested in series of convenience store heists

Monday, April 25, 2005 | 9:38 a.m.

Police have apprehended three men suspected in a series of convenience store robberies at gunpoint and are still searching for suspects from other heists during a six-week period, Metro Police said.

Metro robbery detectives and a SWAT unit moved into a southern Las Vegas area on Friday with search warrants. Jerry McClain, who allegedly attempted to flee, was apprehended by SWAT officers after a brief struggle on Friday, police said.

McClain was arrested and charged with three counts of robbery with a deadly weapon and three counts of burglary. Police arrested Loren Thompson and a juvenile in the 2100 block of Viking Road on Thursday, police said.

After the last robbery on Thursday, a motorcycle officer spotted the suspected robbers' car. After a brief pursuit, the car was abandoned near the intersection of Spencer Street and Cherokee Lane behind the Boulevard mall, police said.

Police suspect the three men robbed four convenicence stores within a few hours on Thursday and may have been responsible for five similar robberies last Monday, Metro Police spokesman Officer Bill Cassell said.

The men are also have been tied to an attempted robbery and car jacking on April 1, Metro Police Lt. Ted Snodgrass said.

One man, Marcus Montanio, was captured in that case after a brief pursuit, Snodgrass said. Montanio is an associate of McClain and the juvenile, he said.

A stolen vehicle used in robberies occurring on April 18 is still missing, police said. The vehicle is a gold Dodge Intrepid with Nevada plate 407 RBC.

Anyone with information regarding the missing vehicle or suspects in the robberies that have occurred are asked to contact Metro Police Robbery section at 229-3591 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.