Undercover operation leads to 16 stolen property arrests

A 14-month undercover operation led by Las Vegas police culminated in 16 arrests of locals accused of selling stolen property, authorities said Friday.

Police said the investigation, dubbed Operation Jigsaw, began in December 2010.

During the investigation, 28 vehicles, 21 firearms, narcotics and stolen credit cards were seized.

Police said undercover officers worked out of a storefront that criminals used to sell stolen properties of all types.

Undercover officers posed as employees in the storefront, which was located in the southwest valley.

Fifteen of the 16 arrested were Las Vegas residents. One man was from North Las Vegas.

Those arrested are the following:

■ Marvin Duane Evans, 36, who was charged with grand larceny auto, possession of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime.

■ Luis Angel Rivera, 30, also known as Heriberto Moran, who was charged with three counts of grand larceny, two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, three counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and burglary.

■ Juan Carlos Alejo, 26, was charged with two counts of grand larceny, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime.

■ Chad Connelley, 39, was charged with grand larceny auto, possession of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime.

■ Ronald Leroy Ortez, 38, was charged with grand larceny auto, possession of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime.

■ Omar Cardenas, 30, was charged with two counts of grand larceny and possession of a stolen vehicle.

■ Mario Alberto Garza, 37, was charged with grand larceny auto, possession of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime.

■ Oscar Miguel Meza, 26, was charged with grand larceny auto, possession of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime.

■ Casey Kealoha Apao, 32, was charged with possession of burglary tools, possession of a stolen vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime.

■ Nam Viet Nguyen, 33, was charged with two counts of grand larceny, three counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and possession of a controlled substance.

■ Suon Friedman, 19, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of marijuana with the intent to sell.

■ Keaton Peterson 30, was charged with conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act, and two counts of sale of a controlled substance.

■ Malcolm Blackwell, 39, was charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

■ Antonio Gray, 30, was charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

■ James Lee Brown, 22, was charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

■ Ari James Langer, 37, was charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Officials with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the Homeland Security Investigations Section of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. attorney’s office and the Clark County district attorney’s office assisted in the investigation.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Section headed the operation.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.