Local news briefs for February 19, 2001

Man killed with shotgun

Metro Police homicide detectives continue to investigate the shooting death of a man who was killed after a fight broke out at a party late Saturday night.

Police responding to the 4500 block of Elm Avenue, near Lamb Boulevard and Stewart Avenue, about 11:45 p.m. found two men with gunshot wounds at the home. One had a gunshot wound in the chest and the other, Cesar Arias, 21, suffered only a minor wound.

Both were taken to University Medical Center where the man with the chest wound died, and Arias was treated and is expected to recover.

Witnesses could only give detectives a vague description of a suspect in the shooting. Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call police at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Four arrested, trucks seized

Four Las Vegas men were arrested over the weekend by Henderson Police in connection with construction thefts in the northwest and southwest parts of the Las Vegas Valley.

Investigators seized two 25-foot U-Haul trucks on Thursday containing an estimated $50,000 to $70,000 in construction materials. The materials included French doors, windows and patio doors that were taken from construction sites in Green Valley and Summerlin.

Las Vegas residents John Crumley, Joseph Brunkow and Joseph Zambatarro have been arrested, with Crumley and Brunkow being charged with multiple felony counts of grand larceny and possession of stolen property, and Zambataro being charged with two counts of possession of stolen property.

Henderson Police also seized about $25,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds gained by the suspects.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Henderson Police at 565-2000 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Reno council considers options

The Reno City Council on Tuesday will consider a plan to turn the site of the old Mapes hotel into a temporary casino parking lot.

The Club Cal-Neva is seeking approval for a month-to-month lease for a 30-space parking lot on the city-owned Mapes property.

The city still has no permanent plan for the lot that remains empty where the Mapes stood in downtown Reno. The historic hotel was imploded by the city on Super Bowl Sunday last year.

The city's redevelopment staff is recommending the council allow parking on the site for $600 a month, but most council members appear to be leaning against the plan.

"That kind of use would be troublesome to me," Mayor Jeff Griffin said, adding he wants to first decide the permanent use of the property before allowing a temporary use.

Councilwomen Toni Harsh, Sherrie Doyle and Jessica Sferrazza-Hogan said they prefer to see a temporary park at the site

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