News briefs

Man wanted in two killings

Metro Police this morning are searching for a 25-year-old man in connection with a double slaying last month near Swenson Street and Sierra Vista Drive.

An arrest warrant is on file charging Franco S. Gonzalez with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder, police said.

Gonzalez is accused in the Feb. 6 shooting deaths of 22-year-old Joel Olivas and 30-year-old Rick Ruiz in front of an apartment complex.

Police found a 17-year-old male in a nearby apartment complex who had also been shot during the incident, police said.

Witnesses told police they heard several men arguing before the shooting occurred.

Gonzalez is described 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has a large tattoo across his stomach of the name "Gonzalez."

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call Metro Homicide Unit at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Victim critical after shooting

A 50-year-old man was listed in critical condition this morning in University Medical Center after being shot Tuesday night during a robbery in a North Las Vegas convenience store parking lot.

The man stopped at the Sunny Market, 600 W. Lake Mead Blvd., at about 7:40 p.m. and went inside to buy some beer. When he came out and climbed into his truck, another man entered on the passenger side and demanded money and the beer, Lt. Chris Larotonda, a North Las Vegas Police spokesman, said.

The victim would not give up the beer or his money and the robber sprayed a chemical at the man, possibly Mace, and then shot him once in the abdomen before running from the truck.

Tourist last seen at Luxor

Metro Police are searching for a 41-year-old tourist missing since Sunday when she was last seen heading to the Luxor gift shop.

Cathy Marie Pulliam was staying at the hotel with a friend and said she was going to look for a new pair of shoes.

Pulliam is described as white, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 190 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes and wears glasses. She was last seen wearing a short-sleeve, dark blue, knit shirt, black leggings and carrying a large, brown, leather purse.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Metro's missing persons unit at 229-LOST or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Man fined for filing false claim

District Judge Mark Gibbons Tuesday fined James R. Ridenour of Las Vegas $750 for submitting a false insurance claim after his house was burglarized.

Ridenour, 41, pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor of attempting to make a false claim for insurance benefits from the State Farm Insurance Co.

The state attorney general's office said Ridenour reported to police and the insurance company that his home had been burglarized in May 1998. As part of his claim, he sought $1,050 for landscaping equipment and submitted a receipt showing its purchase, but the receipt was bogus.

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