IN BRIEF
homes destroyed
Reward is offered
in condo arson fire
Federal authorities offered a $10,000 reward Friday for information in last month’s arson fire that destroyed a condominium complex that was under construction.
Investigators with the Clark County Fire Department and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives hoped the reward would spark new leads in their hunt for whomever set the May 10 blaze at the Murano condo complex near the intersection of Maryland Parkway and Silverado Ranch Boulevard.
“This was a gigantic campfire,” Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison said. “There was a ton of fuel, just burning.”
The fire destroyed 142 homes in various stages of construction and damaged a CVS Pharmacy and some nearby homes. Investigators estimated the damage at $19 million.
A county firefighter was hurt during the incident. Twelve-year veteran Mike Szoke suffered first- and second-degree burns on his face and arms because of intense radiant heat, Allison said.
He spent three days at the University Medical Center burn unit and has returned to work, but he wears a protective sleeve on his left arm and will probably have some scars for life, he said.
Investigators have developed “good, solid information” so far but hope the reward brings fresh leads to solidify the case, ATF spokeswoman Nina Delgadillo said.
Anyone with information can leave anonymous tips with Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.
ARRESTS
Two held in slaying
of man found in trunk
Las Vegas police on Friday arrested two people in the slaying of a man whose body was found last week in the trunk of a car.
Detectives arrested Matthew Goodner, 26, and Bridgette Cordova, 25, on murder charges in the shooting death of Joey Deom, 25. Deom’s body was discovered June 22 at a northwest valley apartment complex.
The body was in the trunk of a 1995 Acura, which was inside a cargo trailer that had been stolen on June 21 from a Las Vegas police recruit, police said.
Police later searched a home in the area and found some of the property from the stolen trailer. They arrested Shane Estep, David Harsh and Melodye Powell on charges of possessing stolen property, police said.
SHOOTING
Police seek suspect
in fatal shooting
North Las Vegas police were searching for a person who shot and killed a man early Friday.
Officers found the man about 4:30 a.m. bleeding in an alley behind 1509 W. Cartier Ave., off Martin Luther King Boulevard near Carey Avenue.
He was taken to University Medical Center, where he died.
Investigators believe the suspects ran away after the shooting.
Anyone with information can leave anonymous tips with Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.
EARLY MORNING BLAZE
House fire does $100,000 damage
Henderson firefighters doused a house fire early Friday morning.
Neighbors in the 100 block of Oklahoma Drive, near Boulder Highway and Basic Road, called 911 about 5:30 a.m. after smelling smoke, the Fire Department said.
Firefighters had the flames under control in about 20 minutes.
Nobody was inside the house when the fire started, and no one was hurt. Damage was estimated at $100,000.
