Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 | 2:34 p.m.
Dan Jennings
On Jan. 29, an alert citizen called the police after a man tried to forcibly open a vending machine outside a local business at 5:15 a.m. Officers from the Graves I squad (Tomao, Barth, and Ashby) responded to the area as the citizen updated Dispatcher Sandoval with the suspect's description and location. The suspect ran across Nevada Highway and tried to hide behind a trash bin at another business. Inexplicably, the suspect ran back to the original business.
Perhaps he was trying to make a getaway with the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) that he had left near the vending machine. However, the citizen, with the help of his son, had retrieved the keys from the ATV and stood watch as the situation unfolded.
When officers closed in, the suspect (again) ran across Nevada Highway and climbed a fence. The suspect then fled into the desert and hid under the cover of darkness and desert landscape.
Officer Tomao directed Officers Barth and Ashby in establishing a perimeter. Traffic Officer Nutzman and Officer Krumm, both arriving for duty early, sped to the scene to assist. Minutes later, other officers of the Days II squad (Sergeant Griffin, Officer Sandin and Officer Richner) arrived.
Henderson Police K-9 Officer Mancuso and his partner, "Max," responded to the area and began a search of the desert where the suspect was last seen. Within minutes, "Max" sounded the alarm and officers quickly arrested a 37-year-old Henderson man hiding in tall grass.
Officers recovered several burglary tools, including a set of bolt cutters, and learned that the suspect had a lengthy criminal record that included prison time for burglary and theft. The suspect was subsequently booked on several charges and taken to the Clark County Detention Center.
The teamwork exhibited by the Graves I and Days II squads, one ending the work week and the other beginning the work week, exemplify the city's core values of Integrity, Professional Excellence and Caring Attitude.
I am the sergeant in charge of the Graves I squad, but was off duty at the time of this incident because of a schedule adjustment. In addition to acknowledging the courageous involvement of the two citizens, anonymously because of the suspect's pending trial, I wanted everyone to know that my officers paid me the ultimate compliment by performing so superbly in my absence.
Furthermore, Rose Sandoval's cool-headed performance as the sole dispatcher ensured a timely and proficient apprehension of a felon.
January 22 — Drunken Driver
A motorist uses his cell phone at 11:30 p.m. to alert the police about an erratic driver southbound into Boulder City. Officer Wilkin stops the suspect vehicle on Nevada Highway and detects the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver's breath or person. He conducts a field investigation and subsequently arrests the driver for DUI–alcohol.
January 23 — Narcotics Offenses
Traffic Officer Nutzman stops a traffic violator on U.S. 95. The driver receives several citations for marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
January 24 — Domestic Battery
Officers Wilkin and Salazar respond to a local business after a 35-year-old woman reported that she had been beaten by her boyfriend at a local motel. After conducting an investigation, Officer Salazar arrests the 36-year-old boyfriend for domestic battery.
January 25 — Wanted Person
Officer Healing arrests a 35-year-old local man on several bench warrants.
January 26 — Drunken Driver
Officers Perkins and Ashby respond to a minor hit-and-run crash on a residential street at 6:45 p.m. They locate the suspect vehicle at a residence. After conducting a field investigation, Officer Ashby has one in custody for DUI-alcohol.
January 27 — Assist a Citizen
Officers respond to a residence after a patient at a Henderson hospital called the police at 11:15 p.m. because he could not contact his wife. No one answered the door at the residence. When officers called the patient back to locate someone with a house key, the patient advised the police that his wife had called him and she was fine.
January 28 — Petit Larceny
Officer Olson issues a citation to a 13-year-old boy for petit larceny. The juvenile and his guardian must appear in juvenile court at a later date.
Weekly Stats
Incident Reports — 56
Traffic Stops — 176
Citations — 91
Adult Arrests — 24
Juvenile Arrests — 1
Animal Control calls — 91
Boulder City Police Sgt. Dan Jennings can be reached at [email protected].
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