Report: Men shot by homeowner were looking for items to steal

By Cara McCoy

Friday, March 19, 2010 | 12:33 p.m.

More details have emerged in the case of two men shot by a homeowner last weekend after they were allegedly trying to burglarize the man's vehicle.

Arrest reports were released today for one of the alleged thieves and for the homeowner who had the gun. The report indicates the two men were driving around while looking for items to steal.

James Bulah, 60, told police he heard noises outside his home in the 4500 block of Shannon Jean Court, which is near the intersection of Craig Road and Fifth St. at 5:49 a.m. Sunday and came out with a gun, firing at two men as they fled in their truck.

Both men were struck by gunfire before crashing into the brick wall less than a block away.

On Wednesday, Arturo Namez, 36, was jailed on one felony count of burglary to a motor vehicle and one gross misdemeanor count of possession of burglary tools after being released from University Medical Center, where he was taken after the shooting.

According to a North Las Vegas Police arrest report, an officer responded to UMC to interview Namez, where he was recovering from surgery. After being read his rights, he agreed to speak with the officer, the report said.

Namez said he was with his friend “Smokey” and they were driving around, looking for items to take. In the police report, the second man is identified as Ivan Duenas.

Authorities said Friday that Duenas remains hospitalized.

In his interview with police, Namez said that before going to Bulah’s home, they had stolen a generator. A generator and a pair of bolt cutters were recovered from the wrecked truck, the report stated.

Namez explained that his friend had gotten out of the Chevrolet Silverado they were in and was looking into the back of the homeowner’s truck when Namez saw a man walk out of his house. He said he didn’t see the man with a gun, but Duenas jumped back into their truck and as they drove away, he heard gunshots. He saw his friend had been struck by a bullet, so he stepped on the gas, then heard another shot before realizing he had also been struck.

Bulah was booked Monday on two felony counts of battery with a deadly weapon. His arrest report states he and his wife were taken to the North Las Vegas police station for questioning shortly after the shooting. Bulah at first stated he wanted to consult with a lawyer before speaking with police; he later gave a voluntary statement.

Bulah’s wife told police their home had been broken into in the past and items have been stolen from their truck. She said they owned a rifle because their home kept getting broken into, the report stated.

Shortly before the shooting, the couple were asleep. They heard a noise and Bulah got up to investigate, she told police. She said she ran to the door and saw Bulah, who was outside, fire two shots, she told police. He came back inside the home and told his wife he thought he shot them, the report said.

Bulah told police he heard the noises outside his house, so he went to investigate. He grabbed his gun and went outside. He said he told the person to stop, and that he saw something in the person’s hands.

Police said Bulah posted bail and was released from jail. North Las Vegas Detention Center records indicate Namez is being held on a combined $26,000 bond.

The Clark County District Attorney’s office said it is still reviewing the case and has requested further information from North Las Vegas Police. Formal charges haven’t been filed against anyone involved.