Dealing with Foreclosed homes in your neighborhoods

The Crime Tracker 3 Team knows that the Foreclosure Crisis has changed neighborhoods, and not for the better. An empty home can become a magnet for crime. If you have a particular situation that you think should be on the news, contact us. Metro also knows foreclosures create problems, and that's why Metro is sponsoring an event for the public this weekend.
The following is a news release from LVMPD.

 The LVMPD recognizes that many valley neighborhoods have undergone numerous changes due to the current economic challenges faced by many homeowners. Whether you are faced with losing your home or are in a neighborhood where some residents have already moved away, there are some services and options for you as a homeowner and as a neighbor.

In response to these concerns, the LVMPD is offering an afternoon of information for community members. Participants available to offer assistance include LVMPD Crime Prevention, Old Republic Title Company, real estate law attorneys, loan modification representatives, and mortgage lenders. While there are many sources of information available regarding the foreclosure crisis and the impact on communities, this afternoon of information is offered to provide discussion, options, and assistance with related concerns.

The seminar will take place on Saturday, January 30, 2010. The information is free, however seating is limited to the first 60 people. Seating begins at 2:45 p.m. and the program will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The seminar will be held at the Tarkanian Middle School in the auditorium. The school is located at 5800 W. Pyle Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89141.

Scammers pretending to seek donations for police

This is a news release from the State of Nevada's Fight Fraud Taskforce

 

Las Vegas – The Nevada Fight Fraud Taskforce is warning Las Vegas residents to be wary of a potential fundraising scam soliciting donations for their local police departments. Several residents have reported receiving multiple calls asking for contributions to the police.
“We are receiving calls on this issue daily,” says Elisabeth Daniels, Chairperson of the Taskforce. “When there are news stories or current events involving the police, scammers try to take advantage of the situation by making bogus solicitations.”
Daniels offers these tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help consumers avoid being defrauded:

• Simply having the words “police” or “firefighter” in an organization’s name doesn’t mean police or firefighters are members of the group.
• Just because an organization claims it has local ties or works with local police or firefighters doesn’t mean contributions will be used locally or for public safety. The organization should be able to provide you with written information describing the programs your donation will support, and their fund-raising costs before you donate.
• Most solicitations for police and fire service organizations are made by paid professional fund-raisers.
• Donations to some police or firefighter groups may not be tax deductible. Many kinds of organizations are tax exempt, including fraternal organizations, labor unions, and trade associations, but donations to them may not be tax deductible.

 

Before giving any money, Daniels suggests following the FTC’s recommendations:

• Ask for the charity’s name, address, and phone number, and written information about its programs.
• Check the validity of the organization with your local law enforcement department and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
• Ask whether the person contacting you is a professional fundraiser and how much of your contribution will go to fundraising costs.

For more information about fraud-related fundraising, visit the FTC web site, the National Charities Information Bureau, and the Fight Fraud website.

Crime by the Numbers - Bolden Area

The downward crime trend in Metro's jurisdiction looks to continue in the new year, but the Crime Tracker 3 has found out Metro definitly has some areas of concern.  This week's focus is on the Bolden Area Command. Overall, violent crime is down 33-percent so far this year, and property crime is down 27-percent.
In the last week, bolden area officers looked at crime data and saw a trend: a rise in burglaries in a neighborhood just west of their substation, between Simmons and Tonopah, south of Lake Mead Boulevard. We spoke with Lt. Rob Lundquist.


The officers who visited that neighborhood found some simple problems, like poor lighting or overgrown bushes. Metro detectives are still working on the harder problem -- finding and arresting the suspects in those burglaries. If you want a crime prevention specialist to check out your home and neighborhood, just call your police station.

Hit and Run suspect caught on cell phone camera

Update on 1/22/'10: Henderson Police have identified the suspect.

This is a news release sent to Crime Tracker 3 from the Henderson (NV) Police Department:

Henderson, Nev. – The Henderson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance for information in connection with a hit-and-run accident last week where a pedestrian was struck. A picture of the driver was captured by a witness with a cell phone.

A 15-year-old boy was riding a skateboard on Fir Street about 4:20 p.m., Jan. 12, on the left side of the roadway. He saw a car turn onto Fir Street from Center Street so he moved to the curb. The driver of the car then struck the boy and drove off. The boy was taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Another teen nearby heard the accident and turned around to see the boy on the ground and the car stopped next to him. The teen took a picture of the car’s windshield with his cellular phone. The picture shows the damage to the windshield where the 15-year-old boy was stuck and the driver. Another witness said the car was a green or teal colored Nissan Altima.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene of the accident, did not render any assistance to the victim and did not call 911. A passerby called 911.

Anyone who has information about the identity of the driver of the car is asked to contact the Henderson Police Department at 267-5099. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555. You may be eligible for a cash reward.

Skimming Scam

The LVMPD Financial Crimes Section is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects who placed a skimming device on an ATM in the northwest area of town. A skimming device is a instrument that can read and record the numbers of a customer’s debit card as the card is being used.
On November 11 , these two suspects placed this device on a walk up ATM and removed it th t later the same day.
The lead detective in this case is Detective James Beatty. Anyone who has information on these suspects are encouraged to contact Det Beatty at 828-4392 or if they wish to remain anonymous they may call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Manhunt Monday - Jurome McFarland

On October 5 , 2009, Jurome Quamaine McFarland, Jr. and at least two accomplices broke into a residence in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas, stealing electronic items and items of clothing. Arriving officers quickly identified the suspects in this case, and Mcfarland was arrested and transported to the Clark County Detention Center where he was booked on numerous charges.

Jurome McFarland was released on bail, and has failed to appear in court as
ordered. He is currently wanted for the felony crimes of:
• Burglary,
• Invasion of a home,
• Grand Larceny, and
• Possession of stolen property.

Prior to this incident McFarland’s criminal history included arrests for narcotics related offenses.

Jurome Quamaine McFarland Jr. Is a black male adult, 19 years of age, standing 6'2" tall and weighing approximately 150 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. McFarland has a birthmark on his upper right arm, a tattoo of the initials “AQ” on his right hand, and the word “MOB” tattooed on his left arm. His last known address was in the 10800 block of Armitage Ave. in Las Vegas.

Anyone with any information concerning the whereabouts of Jurome Quamaine McFarlane is encouraged to contact the L.V.M.P.D. Fugitive detail at 828-3578 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Learn about Gangs

Is your child involved in a gang? Do you know the warning signs? The LVMPD invites the public to attend “Our Children and Gangs,” an informational summit on gang activities. The event will be on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. at Desert Breeze Community Center at 8275 Spring Mountain Road.
This event was developed to better address the increase of gang activity within EAC and to better equip all citizens with a general working knowledge of what the gang culture is all about in Clark County.
This event is comprehensive as there will be two presentations taking place simultaneously to effectively impact each audience. In the gym at Desert Breeze Community Center there will a presentation for all parents/guardians, teachers/administrators, counselors, social workers, law enforcement and community
social organizations and members.
The second room will hold all attending middle & high school students with a tailor made presentation for them.
Both presentations will have the following law enforcement agencies present; LVMPD COP & Gang Crime Bureau, Clark Co. School PD & Clark Co. Park PD, NV DPS Parole & Probation, Clark Co Juvenile Justice P & P and Gang Task Force.
For more information contact the Enterprise Area Command Crime Prevention Detail at 828-5804 or email C7859F@lvmpd.com

Crime by the Numbers - Convention Center Area

As the Crime Tracker 3 team looks back at crime trends for 2009 and asks about police priorities in 2010, one area of focus that emerges is Sexual Assault. As 2009 ended, there were more than 1,500 sexual assaults in Metro's jurisdiction, an increase of more than 8%.
Last week, we asked the Captain from Enterprise Area about that trend. The trend is different in the Convention Center Area, because of the nature of that area. Convention Center sees fewer cases of incest and more "acquaintance-related" sexual assaults, especially incidents where the two acquaintances only met the night of the incident.
Captain Charles Hank talks about the subject, and what he and his officers are already doing about it.

Auto burglary was also a concern in the Convention Center area in 2009. We also asked Capt. Hank about that subject.

Metro asks for help solving tire shop killing

On January 6, 2010, two Hispanic males entered the Llanteras Del Norte Tire Shop, located at 4280 North Lamb Boulevard, and confronted the two employees working inside. During the confrontation one of the employees was shot. Following the shooting the suspects fled east bound on foot through the parking lot, possibly to a vehicle. The victim was transported by responding medical personnel to the U.M.C. Trauma center where he later died.

The two suspects are described as:
1) A Hispanic male, 25-35 years of age, 6'0'’ tall, with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a dark grey sweatshirt and blue jeans.
2) A Hispanic male, 25-35 years of age, 5'6'’ tall, with a heavy build. He was last seen wearing a light colored hooded jacket with two large blue triangles or a horizontal blue stripe through the mid section.
A possible suspect vehicle in this case has been identified as a dark colored GMC or Chevy Suburban style S.U.V. believed to be either a late 1990's or early 2000 model vehicle.

Anyone with any information concerning to this crime is urged to contact the L.V.M.P.D. Homicide section at 828-3521 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Manhunt Monday - Stefon Wright

On July 24 , 2009, Stefon Wright was a passenger in the above vehicle when th it was stopped by a patrol officer in the 6300 block of Mt. Ranier, in the northeast part of the valley. During the traffic stop Wright became combative, and attacked the officer. Wright was subdued, arrested, and transported to the Clark County Detention center, however he was released on bail and failed to appear in court as ordered. Based on this Wright is wanted for the crime of:
• Attempted battery on a protected person.

Wright is a black male adult, 19 years of age, standing 6'1" tall and weighing approximately 160 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. Wright also goes by the street name of “Lucky”.

Wright has tattoo’s of:
• A cross on his left calf,
• A Picture of a piston on his right hip,
• The word “Lucky” on his upper left arm,
• The name “Dana” on his right chest,
• The word “Lereal” on his left arm,
• A picture of Mickey Mouse on his upper right arm,
• The initials LV” on his right hand,
• The name “Gwen” on her right forearm.
He also has a pierced right eyebrow.

Wright’s last know address was in the 5100 block of Spyglass Hill Drive in Las Vegas, and he has been seen as a passenger in a dark blue 2008 Hyundai Elantra in the northeast part of the valley.

Prior to this incident Wright’s criminal record included arrests for obstructing a police officer and jaywalking. Anyone with any information concerning the whereabouts of Stefon Wright
is urged to contact the L.V.M.P.D. Gang Crimes Bureau at 828-3309 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Hockey Game for Fallen Heroes

The public is invited to attend a charity hockey match between the Las Vegas Police & Las Vegas Guns and Hoses. The big game will be on Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. at the Fiesta Rancho Hotel and Casino (Sobe Ice Arena), 2400 N. Rancho.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Injured Police Officers Fund (IPOF), which assists families of police officers injured or killed in the line of duty. Due to the unprecedented number of local law enforcement tragedies in the past year, the IPOF is really in need of assistance.

Come show your support of local law enforcement by attending this fun and exciting event. Tickets are $10 for adults; children 12 and under are FREE. Tickets may be purchased at the arena box office the night of the event.

For more information go to: www.helplasvegascops.com or call the IPOF at 380-2840.