Police report success with holiday sting

J. Craig Anderson

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005 | 7:49 a.m.

Metro Police say this year's "Holiday Initiative" to catch thieves, carjackers and burglars around major shopping centers has resulted in unexpected successes, including those away from the malls.

Police involved in the Holiday Initiative rescued a kidnapped woman held at gunpoint and captured an escaped convict and two suspects in a home invasion in which victims were shot multiple times.

Officers involved in the Holiday Initiative participated because they were able to move quickly because they were already working the sting operation.

In all, the joint initiative among uniformed officers, detectives and SWAT members has resulted in 51 felony arrests with three days left in the operation, compared with 65 such arrests in 2004.

But Metro Lt. Ted Snodgrass, who works in the department's property crimes division, said the greatest advantage to this year's operation has been the ability to mobilize a coordinated team of detectives, patrol officers and SWAT at a moment's notice.

"One of the new benefits this year has been the ability to bring the teams together and track some really nasty people," said Snodgrass, who heads the holiday operation.

The first proof of that team advantage came Nov. 29, when police working the Holiday Initiative were able to apprehend Kenneth Jody Thompson, an escaped inmate from Nevada State Prison in Carson City, who had been arrested by Metro two years prior and convicted of robbery.

Thompson, who has a history of robbing bars, escaped from prison Aug. 25 and had eluded capture until Holiday Initiative cops caught up with him at a hideout in the southwest part of the valley.

Initiative participants also mobilized quickly to thwart a potential homicide Dec. 5, when area resident Georgina Ramos was forced out of her car by estranged boyfriend Robert Galindo and forced at gunpoint to accompany him to Lake Mead.

Metro responded quickly and engaged in a standoff with Galindo, who had already threatened to kill Ramos. Police shot and killed Galindo before he was able to harm his captive.

Police involved with the Holiday Initiative captured two suspects in a violent home invasion Dec. 19, with a third suspect still on the loose.

John Napoleon Domis and David Marc Poyorena are suspected of entering the home of an unnamed couple, where they demanded cash, drugs and a laptop computer. When the male victim put up a struggle, he was punched in the face and then shot five times, police said.

The home invaders also shot the female victim twice in the knees, they said. The man is listed in critical condition following surgery, and the woman is in stable condition and expected to recover.

The Holiday Initiative, which runs from the day before Thanksgiving until the day after Christmas, was launched three years ago because robbers, carjackers, bag-snatchers and other assorted criminals see the chaos of holiday shopping as the perfect opportunity to prey on businesses and their customers, Snodgrass said.

The operation involves three teams comprised of SWAT, uniformed cops and plain-clothed detectives patrolling 12 malls and shopping centers throughout the community seven days a week, answering calls and looking for suspicious activity.

Police also review intelligence reports and identify likely suspects to look for during the operation. The reports include everything from criminals' home addresses and vehicle descriptions to their likely targets.

So far this year police have made 51 felony arrests, 33 misdemeanor arrests and issued 105 traffic and misdemeanor citations, Snodgrass said.

Last year Metro made 65 felony arrests, 37 misdemeanor arrests and issued 196 other citations as part of the effort.

Snodgrass said a number of crimes increase during the holidays. Carjacking, for example, is a problem because crooks know vehicles are likely to be loaded with expensive gifts.

Last year the Holiday Initiative led to the recovery of 20 stolen cars.

With a few days left in the current operation, Snodgrass said, the three high-profile incidents and a significant number of other arrests have made the effort worthwhile.

"I'd say it's been a great success," he said.

J. Craig Anderson can be reached at 259-2320 or at craig@lasvegassun.com.