Cab camera aids cops in case

Jen Lawson

Friday, May 27, 2005 | 9:25 a.m.

A taxicab thief was captured on an in-cab camera behind the wheel of a Yellow-Checker-Star cab, giving Nevada Taxicab Authority evidence they used to solve its first crime since companies began installing the cameras last fall.

Investigators on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against 37-year-old James Bradley Palen, charging him with five felonies including grand larceny, possession of stolen credit cards and identity theft.

Rob Stewart, Taxicab Authority investigator, said the agency is elated that the camera served its purpose -- to be used as crime-solving tool.

"It's working the way we wanted it to work," he said. "We're not naive enough to think it will stop all crimes, but it will help solve some and help us identify suspects."

The cab was stolen May 2 from the Commercial Center at 953. E. Sahara Ave. near Maryland Parkway.

Stewart said the driver left the cab running while he went into a business to drop off a meal for his wife. When he returned moments later the cab was gone, along with his wallet.

Security guards at the Sahara hotel found the cab parked in its parking garage two days later.

Investigators downloaded several images of the thief driving the cab and identified him as Palen, whom Stewart described as a transient who travels between Las Vegas, California, Oregon and Washington.

Stewart is hoping that someone who knows Palen's whereabouts will call the Taxicab Authority at 486-6532 or local police.

Even though regulations requiring companies to install cameras in their cabs haven't been adopted, several have done so voluntarily.

Fifty-two percent of all cabs in Clark County have cameras, and Yellow-Checker-Star, the largest company, has equipped 75 percent of its cabs with cameras. The second-largest company, Whittlesea Bell, which owns Henderson Taxi, has cameras in all of its vehicles.

No robberies or other violent crimes have been committed against drivers of cabs installed with cameras, authorities said.