Alleged gang members plead not guilty in teen’s death

By Jeff Pope (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 | 2:45 p.m.

Metro Police

Jaime Alcaraz

Metro Police

Ramon Rodriguez

Teen found dead on Las Vegas sidewalk identified (4-2-2009)

Two alleged gang members were arraigned today for the murder of a 16-year-old boy.

Jaime Alcaraz and Ramon Rodriquez pleaded not guilty in Clark County District Court to felony charges of murder with use of a deadly weapon to promote a gang and conspiracy to commit murder with a deadly weapon to promote a gang.

The defendants are accused of gunning down Luis Bernabe on April 2 on the sidewalk on Stanley Street, near Owens Avenue and Nellis Boulevard.

According to the police report, the two defendants asked Bernabe where he was from to which he replied “Blythe Street.”

Police said Alcaraz and Rodriquez then fired a shotgun and a handgun at Bernabe, who allegedly was a member of the Los Angeles-based Blythe Street gang.

He died less than an hour later at University Medical Center. The Clark County Coroner’s Office ruled his death a homicide from multiple projectile wounds.

Alcaraz, 14, and Rodriquez, 25, are members of the 28th Street gang, according to court records.

They are scheduled to stand trial Nov. 1, 2010. Both are held without bail in this case and Rodriquez has started serving a prison sentence for a previous conviction.

Because of the arrest, Rodriquez’s probation was revoked on Oct. 12. He was one year into serving up to four years on probation for two felony counts of robbery. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2008, to robbing three people at gunpoint in December 2007.

Rodriquez had four prior convictions between 2003 and 2006 related to drugs, possession of a stolen vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By lane

10/15/09 at 4:06 p.m.

Suggest removal

Who is the Judge that gave this guy probation.Because of the arrest, Rodriquez's probation was revoked on Oct. 12. He was one year into serving up to four years on probation for two felony counts of robbery. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2008, to robbing three people at gunpoint in December 2007.

Rodriquez had four prior convictions between 2003 and 2006 related to drugs, possession of a stolen vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon.
THE JUDGE SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH MURDER
THEY THROW PEOPLE IN JAIL FOR TRAFFIC TICKETS AND LET PEOPLE LIKE THIS OUT TO COMMIT MURDER
By jaesun

10/15/09 at 4:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

ohhh, tough guys.
By chooch

10/15/09 at 4:50 p.m.

Suggest removal

Well, Gitmo will be available soon. Let's ELIMINATE these elements from society...there is no rehabilitation. They will and have not served any constructive part of society.
By LasVegas2009

10/15/09 at 5:31 p.m.

Suggest removal

Just here to do the work Americans dont wanna do and let their kids play. Well the kids are all gangbangers! Deport all illegals and kids before they beat and rob you. Deport all Illegals.