6 suspects are arrested in ramming of police vehicles; major theft ring uncovered

Metro Police arrested six men today in connection with a string of rammed law enforcement vehicles and in the process say they uncovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen vehicles, tools and other items.

Three of the suspects, 35-year-old Edgar Medina, 27-year-old Hugo Carbajal and 26-year-old Francis Carbajal, were arrested between about 6:30 and 7 a.m., according to Deputy Chief Tom Roberts.

Both Carbajal brothers were arrested on 98 counts including first-degree burglary and grand larceny of an automobile, according to Clark County jail records.

Police reported 29-year-old Ivan Gonsalez, 29-year-old Abel Elizalde and 23-year-old James Farnan were also arrested in the case.

Metro Police said last month they were looking for suspects who were stealing trucks and using them to ram into law enforcement vehicles before fleeing the scene.

On six occasions beginning April 29, vehicles were stolen across the valley and used to ram into law enforcement vehicles, including Metro Police K-9 vehicles and a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation K-9 vehicle, police said.

In one of the six incidents, the law enforcement vehicle was occupied, according to police.

Typically the stolen vehicles' gas pedals were rigged to crash into the law enforcement vehicles, according to police.

The suspects were linked to the crimes by video as well as stolen property and vehicles linked to the ramming incidents, Roberts said.

Police found items stolen from the garages of local homes as well as guns and trucks believed to have stolen parts at the Carbajal brothers’ house in the 7100 block of Gunslinger Street, near East Warm Springs Road and the 215 Beltway, Roberts said.

Some of the items found were reported stolen years ago, police said.

The suspects were apparently breaking into vehicles in residential driveways and taking garage door openers to get access to the garages, Roberts said.

Police are contacting people whose stolen property has been located during the investigation, Roberts said.

Brian Comeno, 52, stood outside of the Carbajal brothers' house, waiting to reclaim items he says were taken from his southwest valley home.

As he got ready to go to work Thursday morning, he noticed his stereo and laptop were missing from his truck and that someone also went through his wife's car, he said.

"We kind of wrote this stuff off as of yesterday," he said. "There were quite a few houses hit in our neighborhood."

Police served search warrants for two storage units, an automotive business in North Las Vegas, four vehicles and two additional Las Vegas residences connected to the case, Roberts said.

"We are finding, every turn that we take, there are more people involved," he said.

Police found at least $100,000 worth of tools at one of the storage units, he said. Detectives also found eight stolen motorcycles, four stolen vehicles and 15 stolen firearms including handguns, rifles and a shotgun during their investigation, police said.

Roberts said it appears the suspects were going out multiple times a week doing "20 to 25 felony crimes a night."

There is a possibility some of the suspects could face federal charges related to gun possession, as at least two of them have criminal felony convictions, he said.

Metro Police are asking anyone with information on the case or additional suspects to call them at 702-828-3586. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit crimestoppersofnv.com.

Henderson Police, Boulder City Police and Mesquite Police aided the investigation, according to Metro Police.