Police have no suspect in cabbie's death

Robbery is a likely motive in the slaying last week of a Las Vegas cab driver, Metro Police said today, noting that they have not yet developed a potential suspect in the case.

Federico Baluyot, 63, was found about 7:30 a.m. Thursday face down near the sidewalk in the 200 block of West Baltimore Avenue, police said.

The Clark County coroner ruled the death a homicide following an autopsy last week.

The autopsy revealed Baluyot, who had no visible wounds, died from a heart attack brought on by being hit by a blunt object on the head and shoulders, according to coroner's office officials.

"Robbery is a possible motive," Metro Sgt. Ken Hefner said. He declined to say what was missing from Baluyot's wallet.

Last week Lt. Wayne Petersen said the keys to the cab were missing, but the cab was still near Baluyot's body.

Police recovered the cab driver's log, Hefner said.

Baluyot last picked up a fare at the Luxor hotel-casino about 1:30 a.m. Thursday. He had not been sent to pick up a fare in the area where his body was found. Another cab driver found his body about 7:30 a.m., police said.

Baluyot had been driving for Whittlesea Blue Cab for about three months, company officials said.

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