Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Two Las Vegas men face a slew of charges for allegedly posing as Metro Police vice detectives to extort money and sexual favors from prostitutes and their customers.
Timothy Petko and Roland Van Sluytman, both 27, were arrested about 10 p.m. Sunday. Police say the crimes occurred during the past several months.
The suspects are accused of blackmailing customers they caught with hookers, promising to let them go free of supposed solicitation charges in exchange for cash, said Metro vice Lt. Carlos Cordeiro.
The prostitutes were paid for their help in pulling off the scheme, authorities said.
A tip from a "john" -- a prostitute's customer -- triggered Metro to initiate an investigation to find the impersonators. Witnesses' cooperation helped pinpoint the suspects, Cordeiro said.
"What has made this case so difficult is a lack of victims," Cordeiro said. "Few people have come forward to report these incidents, and we're hoping that once word gets out, we'll hear from others."
The friendship between Van Sluytman and Petko dates to when both worked for an undisclosed security guard company, Cordeiro said.
Petko, who was arrested at his residence, is employed by GIS Security. Detectives arrested Van Sluytman, who is unemployed, near Main Street and Utah Avenue.
Both face charges of first-degree kidnapping, pandering, robbery and impersonating an officer.
Van Sluytman is additionally charged with two counts of sexual assault for allegedly coercing prostitutes into performing sexual acts to avoid arrest, Cordeiro said.
Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to contact Metro's vice section at 229-3455 or robbery detail at 229-3591.
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