Leads sought in two attacks on elderly

Efforts were continuing today to find the robbers who viciously attacked two elderly families in separate crimes last week.

An Iowa couple lost their car and possessions to a carjacker about 6:25 a.m. Tuesday after stopping to ask directions at an undisclosed location.

The criminal told the victims he could show them the way and was allowed to get in the back seat.

Shortly after, the man pulled out a metal pipe and thrust it in front of the woman's throat, threatening to kill her if he wasn't driven to the area of Hogan and Snead drives, near the Las Vegas Municipal Golf Course.

According to robbery Sgt. Lori Crickett, the elderly husband stopped the car and started fighting with the man who beat the couple and dragged the woman from the car before driving off in it.

The suspect is described as black, 22-28 years old, about 5 feet 8 inches, 160-170 pounds, and wearing dark colored sweat pants.

The couple's vehicle is described as a four-door maroon 1982 Chevrolet Impala with Iowa license plates 348 FIM.

Also on Tuesday, a local elderly man answered the doorbell only to be pushed aside by robbers who invaded his home and looted it of money and jewels.

The man and his elderly companion were forced into a rear bedroom where the woman was handcuffed and the man bound with duct tape. A third victim in a nearby bedroom also was bound with tape.

Two of the three suspects are believed to be black men, one about 6 feet tall and 175 pounds who was wearing dark slacks and a gray T-shirt with a print on the front.

The other is believed to be about 5 feet 8 inches, stocky and wearing black pants and a light blue long-sleeved T-shirt.

Witnesses were unable to provide a solid description of the third robber.

Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call Metro's robbery detail at 229-3591 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

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