Crime Beat
Robbery victim's memory of license plate leads to quick arrest
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Some quick thinking by a robbery victim is the reason Metro Police say a violent criminal is off the streets. In this week's Crime Beat what the victim did that lead to an arrest about an hour after the crime. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Some quick thinking by a robbery victim is the reason Las Vegas police say a violent criminal is off the streets. In this week's Crime Beat what the victim did that lead to an arrest about an hour after the crime.
"The important thing is this guy isn't going to get the guns back," explained Detective Sean Hubbard from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
LVMPD say on the morning of Feb. 1, a 75-year-old man headed to do his daily betting ritual. Officers say he would leave his apartment, stop at a safe deposit box to grab some cash, and go to the sports books. But that day, as he walked to his car at his complex near Harmon and Maryland, someone approached him.
"He demanded the victim's jacket," said Detective Hubbard.
Police say the suspect had a black ski mask on and pulled out a gun. As the elderly man hesitated, officers say the suspect ripped the victim's coat off, got into a car and sped away. Though the victim was startled, he paid attention as the red Suzuki drove off, memorizing the license plate. He called 911.
"Officers went to the registered owner's address," said Detective Hubbard.
After a few minutes of surveillance, police say Bryan Jefferson came out of the house.
Initially, police say Jefferson didn't comply with officer's demands but he was eventually take into custody. Detectives say Jefferson denied any involvement in the robbery of the elderly man. But after getting a search warrant, detectives found a black ski mask inside Jefferson's SUV. Inside the house, they found five guns, two of which were stolen.
"The license plate is, of course, crucial. It led us to the house, it led us to ultimately taking him into custody," said Detective Hubbard.
It all happened about an hour after the elderly man was robbed.
Police arrested Jefferson for robbery of a victim over 60 and conspiracy robbery. Detectives say he pled guilty at a preliminary hearing to robbery and is set to be sentenced in July.
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