Carjacking suspect to undergo evaluation after strange statements

A carjacking suspect accused of going on a Las Vegas rampage that included a 47-mile police chase is expected to be examined by a mental health professional after he made bizarre statements during a court hearing Wednesday morning.

Justin Venegas, 40, first lashed out at an attorney with the Clark County public defender’s office as he spoke through a remote video feed to the courtroom of Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Amy Chelini.

“You don’t speak for me,” Venegas told attorney Connor Saphire. “I speak for myself. So how are you requesting something from me saying it is in my best interests when you don’t speak to me?”

Venegas, who is charged with attempted murder and nine other felonies in the Aug. 11 chase that ended in a shootout with police, then started asking questions about an “estate.”

“I wanted to accept all charges and appoint the judge as the trustee of this estate,” Venegas said.

“Estate?” Chelini responded. “What estate are you talking about?”

“Well, where do the funds come from?” Venegas said. “What funds this whole operation?”

Chelini then told Venegas that a competency exam by a mental health professional was necessary before his case could proceed.

“Based upon your statements to the court I think we are on the right track here,” Chelini said.

Las Vegas police said Venegas carried out an armed carjacking at North Pecos Road and East Cheyenne Avenue.

During a subsequent pursuit, police video showed, Venegas extended his arm out the window of the carjacked Chevy Avalanche he was driving near East Craig Road and North Fifth Street. He then fired at two officers in a patrol car with his Smith & Wesson M&P 9 mm pistol, police said.

Venegas, police said, also fired at a female motorist, before he slammed the Avalanche into a police vehicle at 67 miles per hour.

Police were watching Venegas on Aug. 11 because he was a suspect in a carjacking that happened on May 20.

Police said he stole a 2012 Ford Explorer at gunpoint after taking the keys from the driver.

He went into the back seat of the Explorer and talked about killing the two women in the car, according to a Metropolitan Police Department arrest report.

Venegas was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and grand larceny. He is due to appear in court for the May charges on Thursday.

Venegas was being held without bail. He is expected back in court on Sept. 16.

Contact Glenn Puit at gpuit@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GlennatRJ on Twitter.