Armed robbers targeting charity fireworks stands in west Las Vegas
Two men are wanted by Las Vegas police in a recent string of armed robberies targeting charity fireworks stands along West Charleston Boulevard.
There have been at least three reported robberies since Monday between Hualapai Way and Rainbow Boulevard, police said.
Records show one was called in just before 10:10 p.m. Monday at 9851 W. Charleston Blvd.
Another was reported about 10:35 p.m. Tuesday at 1080 S. Rainbow Blvd., just north of Charleston. Nearly an hour later, records show, police were again called to investigate a robbery at a booth at 8601 W. Charleston, near Durango Drive.
In each instance, police said in a news release, a vehicle — either a dark gray SUV or a silver four-door sedan with black rims, a sunroof and a rear spoiler — pulled up to a charity fireworks stand, with one or two men getting out of the vehicle and threatening the workers with a firearm. The men, believed to be 20 to 25 years old, demanded money before speeding off with undisclosed amounts of cash.
“Firework stand operators should remain aware and cognizant of the above pictured vehicles being used by the suspects,” the release said.
Amy Ramos, a 27-year veteran with the Clark County School District, said she volunteers each summer with her 16-year-old son and her husband, Ed, to run the stand at 8601 W. Charleston supporting the Knights of Columbus and their youth program, the Columbus Squires, through St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
“People are happy when they hear (the sales) go to a nonprofit. It’s not an all-for-profit business,” she said.
Ramos and her family were not present during the robbery Tuesday night, but she said she was “a little on edge” thinking about the frightening incident.
“It’s just people who want to volunteer with whatever is important to them,” Ramos said. “It’s our way of giving back to the church and our community.”
Laura Jordan said she and her family have been volunteering for three years as part of a fundraising effort for Jordan’s three children. Isaiah, 14, Ava, 11, and Bryce, 7, each play soccer or run track, and Jordan said the costs of a school year’s worth of sports can run up to $5,000.
“We’ve worked every day since the first, from 8:30 a.m. to midnight,” Jordan said, standing inside the stand at 9851 W. Charleston. “It’s a great way to help the kids.”
Jordan’s husband, Jamar, is in the Army National Guard, and the two are “completely grateful” for the opportunity to raise funds this way, she said.
Jordan posts on Facebook daily about the cause, hoping to spread the news through word-of-mouth.
“No one knows it’s for a good cause,” she said.
No additional robberies had been reported as of Wednesday morning, and detectives were continuing to investigate, police spokeswoman Alejandra Zambrano said.
No one has been injured in the robberies, police said.
Both robbers have a medium to heavy build, and one has several facial piercings, police said.
Anyone with information may call Metro’s robbery section at 702-828-3591 or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555. Tipsters can also go to www.crimestoppersofnv.com.
Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0217. Contact Sabrina Schnur at sschnur@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0278. Review-Journal staff writers Rio Lacanlale and Mike Shoro contributed to this report.
