Manhunt Monday - Matthew Crawford

On April 10, 2010, Metro Police say Matthew Crawford stole his roommates vehicle, was involved in a traffic accident, and then fled the scene on foot. Because of this crime Crawford is wanted for:

• Felony Auto Burglary and
• Felony Theft.

Prior to this crime Crawford’s only local criminal record was a citation for failing to register as an ex-felon.

 

Matthew Crawford is a white male adult, 30 years of age, standing 5'10" tall and weighing approximately 175 lbs. with blonde hair and blue eyes. His last known address was an apartment complex in the 600 block of East Flamingo.

 

Anyone with any information concerning the whereabouts of Matthew Crawford is encouraged to contact the L.V.M.P.D. Fugitive detail at 828-3578 or Crime Stoppers by phone at 385-5555 or by e-mail at http://www.crimestoppersofnv.com/

Crime By the Numbers - Northeast Auto Burglaries

Auto burglaries are a concern for the entire Las Vegas Valley, and the northeast in particular. When examining the numbers, Crime Tracker 3 found out there have been 198 auto burglaries in the Northeast Area Command from January 1 to March 27. There were 196 auto burglaries in the same time period in 2009. That amounts to a 1% increase. Back in February, the numbers were between six and seven percent higher than in 2009. The bottom line is -- auto burglary is on the decline. Crime Tracker 3 discussed the trend with Northeast Area Captain Chris Darcy.

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.

Manhunt Monday: Brian Velasquez

Brian Jari Velasquez is wanted on various felony charges after an encounter with private security guards at a casino/hotel on August 23, 2009. According to LVMPD, Velasquez and at least one other individual were approached in a hotel/casino parking lot by security officers on bicycles. The security personnel were investigating a possible in-progress auto burglary. When confronted by the security officers Velasquez and his accomplice attempted to run over the officers, striking and injuring both victims. The suspects also ran over the officers bicycles. The suspects then fled the area in an older model 2-door Honda Accord.

Velasquez is currently wanted for:
• Attempt murder with a deadly weapon [2 counts],
• Battery with a deadly weapon [ 2 counts],
• Attempt auto burglary, and
• Unlawful possession of burglary tools.

Velasquez is a Hispanic male adult, 21 years of age, standing 5'10" tall and weighing approximately 160 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. He has numerous aka’s, including:
• Brian Velasquez Mencia,
• Brian Mencia Velasquez,
• Brian Jari Mencia,
• Brian Macia,
• Brian Mecia,
• Brian Jari Valasquez,
• Brian Velasquea,
• Brian Jari Macia, and
• Brallanh Esmith

Velasquez’s last known address was in the 3700 block of White Quail Ct. in North Las Vegas.

Velasquez’s criminal history includes arrests for:
• Obstructing a public officer, and
• Traffic and vehicle related offenses.

Anyone with any information concerning the whereabouts of Brian Jari Velasquez is urged to contact the L.V.M.P.D. Fugitive Detail at 828-3578 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555

Crime by the Numbers: South Central

In Metro's South Central area commnad, auto burglary is down more than 12% year-to-date, compared to 2008. Historically, Metro sees a slight uptick of auto burglary in December. Captain Brian Greenway suspects that's because people are so rushed, they often forget their usual safety efforts.