Las Vegas man accused of damaging Bellagio Fountains

By Pashtana Usufzy

Published Friday, July 24, 2015 | 2:30 p.m.

Updated Friday, July 24, 2015 | 4:27 p.m.

A man who reportedly jumped into the man-made lake surrounding the Bellagio Fountains on Thursday night was arrested after police say he damaged the fountain and an inflatable boat sent to rescue him.

Manuel Acevedo-Gutierrez, 39, of Las Vegas was arrested on a count of felony property damage, according to jail records and the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.

He was being held on $5,000 bail at the Clark County jail.

Metro Police bike patrol officers were stopped by people who reported a man climbing the wall of the 8.5-acre lake about 9:10 p.m., according to an arrest report.

Police found Acevedo-Gutierrez holding on to a fence, and when officers tried to stop him, he ran, the report said.

The officers split up, and as they approached him, Acevedo-Gutierrez jumped into the water and started swimming, according to the report.

As police attempted to get him out of the water, he yelled and pulled on the fountain’s lights and spouts, police said. There is videotape of his behavior, according to the report.

Additional police units as well as the Clark County Fire Department and resort security were called to rescue Acevedo-Gutierrez, who was described by police as “distraught,” Metro Police Officer Troy Barrett said.

Acevedo-Gutierrez refused to get out and kicked the fountain’s jets, which were turned off, police said.

Two Bellagio boats were used to get him out of the water, and one of them was damaged, according to the report. A $700 Kevlar vest of one of the officers who swam out to get Acevedo-Gutierrez was damaged by the chlorinated water, the report said.

The Bellagio’s initial estimate was that more than $5,500 damage was done, not including the police officer’s vest, the report said.

A hotel spokeswoman said the fountain shows resumed and minor repairs were made. The water show was halted during the incident.

Officers took Acevedo-Gutierrez into custody by 10:15 p.m., Barrett said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.