LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is announcing the arrest of a 36-year-old man who they say has "repeatedly and flagrantly" violated the conditions of his pre-trial release for previous arrests.
The suspect, identified as Joshua Sanchez-Lopez, was arrested on Wednesday after LVMPD officers responded to reports of a man going through mailboxes at an apartment complex in the 4400 block of Karen Avenue, near Marion Street in the east valley. The man was said to be driving a dark-colored SUV.
Officers located the SUV in the area of Boulder Highway and Desert Inn Road and identified the driver as Sanchez-Lopez.
"Based on the information learned by patrol officers that Sanchez-Lopez had stolen mail from the apartment complex, LVMPD Financial Crimes detectives were requested and responded to take over the investigation," LVMPD officials stated.
Detectives found mail that didn't belong to Sanchez-Lopez and, when searching his residence, "found what appeared to be a fraud lab and narcotics," according to police.
He was taken to the Clark County Detention Center and booked into jail on charges that include:
- child abuse or neglect
- 13 counts of possession of documents/person ID to commit forgery
- 10 counts of obtain credit card without holders consent
- possession of financial forgery lab for unlawful act
- mail theft
- possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance under 14 grams
Las Vegas police officials indicated this incident was not officers' first encounter with Sanchez-Lopez.
According to police, he was originally booked into jail on January 12 for crimes related to the possession of a stolen vehicle.
He was released to the Las Vegas Justice Court's Pretrial Compliance Unit on February 10, "after LVMPD determined electronic supervision of Sanchez-Lopez posed an unreasonable risk to public safety, and, as a result, denied his release to the LVMPD Electronic Monitoring Program."
LVMPD officials say Sanchez-Lopez "repeatedly and flagrantly" violated the rules of the department's Electronic Monitoring Program "in an escalating fashion." They cite allegations that Sanchez-Lopez was involved in high-speed vehicle pursuits to evade law enforcement and that he "pointed a gun at an unsuspecting officer" during a traffic investigation in North Las Vegas.
Police go on to cite Sheriff Kevin McMahill's legal authority to deny an individual's release for electronic monitoring. They argue Sanchez-Lopez's "lengthy criminal history," previous noncompliance with electronic monitoring conditions, and "threatening conduct toward law enforcement" are reasons to deny his release from jail.
-
5th-grade students say teacher played 'knife tag,' 'roasted' them, flipped desks
The Clark County School District's police department previously announced the arrest of Kha Nam Nguyen, a teacher at Wing and Lilly Fong Elementary School in the northwest valley, on March 13.
Police investigating Spring Valley hit-and-run involving moped
It happened at S Buffalo Drive and W Desert Inn Road, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
CCSD elementary school teacher booked on child abuse charges
A Fong Elementary School teacher was booked into jail for child abuse-related charges, according to the Clark County School District.
Shooter at large after argument at Spring Valley house party turns deadly
Las Vegas police are investigating a fatal overnight shooting at a house party in the area of Flamingo and Lindell roads on Thursday.
