Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

TERRORISM WARNING: Limousine industry surprised

Local firms say they didn't receive prior warning from the FBI or other law enforcement

A stretch sport-utility limousine pulls away from New York-New York hotel on Monday. A pair of FBI bulletins issued late Friday warn that terrorists could use explosive-laden limos to attack targets in the United States. Photo by Craig L. Moran.

Fears that terrorists could use limousines as rolling bombs caught Las Vegas limo industry insiders by surprise Monday, though some said that hotels already are wary of stretch cars for hire.

Late Friday, the FBI had issued a pair of warnings to 18,000 police agencies nationwide that al-Qaida could try launching attacks in the United States by packing explosives into rental limos or helicopters, which could help terrorists sneak near targeted buildings.

None of the half-dozen limo firms contacted Monday said they'd received any sort of a warning from the FBI or other law enforcement agencies. "No, we haven't," said Bill Shranko, operations director for Yellow-Checker-Star Transportation, which oversees Star Limousines. He referred further questions to other company officials who were unavailable for comment.

Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Jose Montoya said he was unaware of such bulletins being issued, and Bill Conger, deputy chief for homeland security, could not be reached for comment.

One of the bulletins noted that al-Qaida used rental cars or trucks in attacks such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and that limos could be particularly effective since they are bigger than normal cars and less conspicuous than trucks.

"Limousines often convey an impression of authority or prestige, which may facilitate their access to specific locations in a building or a facility denied to the general public," the FBI bulletin said.

Limos are a readily available delivery source in the valley, with more than 70 listings in one local phone book offering limos, stretch SUVs with as many as 30 seats, sedans, vans and party buses for rent.

Limo driver Jim Ernst was not surprised by the supposed threat. "If they did something here, it would have worldwide notoriety," said the Presidential Limousine driver, who has been driving since January.

Dan Pietrangelo, owner of Mammoth Transportation, said some hotels already require limos to pop open trunks. And limos are often barred from "staging," or lining up outside a hotel, as cabs sometimes do.

"We go to the hotels now and they won't let us drop off or pick up for more than five seconds before they're all over us," Pietrangelo said.

Ernst said Bellagio and The Venetian are the most aggressive when it comes to checking limos, routinely asking drivers to lower their windows so security guards can see who and what they are carrying.

"Some of them are very strict. Others have fallen off. I think some places have gotten a little lax," Ernst said, while parked in a limousine parking area at McCarran International Airport.

Casinos have long been reluctant to discuss security measures, saying that releasing such details could hinder their efforts. That was no different Monday.

"I am unable to release details for security measures," said MGM Mirage spokeswoman Yvette Monet.

Caesars Entertainment spokesman Robert Stewart, whose company lists Caesars Palace, Paris, Bally's and the Flamingo, among its holdings, echoed that sentiment.

"The safety and security of our guests is our highest concern. For that reason it is our policy not to make any specific comments about the steps we take to protect our guests and our casino resorts," Stewart said.

John Snyder, owner of Exotic Limousines, said a terrorist posing as a limo driver would stand out to resort workers.

"Most of the doormen know the drivers by face. If it was a terrorist, some guy that didn't look like a limo driver, I think they'd know that something was wrong at that point," Snyder said. "It's a big city, but it's also pretty small. The employees know one another."

He concedes that the thought of a limo hijacking worries him somewhat, but his limos are equipped with global positioning systems so they can be tracked throughout the valley.

Companies generally do not screen customers, with the exception of perfunctory credit and ID checks. But drivers can often use their best judgment if they feel something is awry.

"Our drivers have the authority, once they pick up a customer, to make a decision on whether to take them or not," Pietrangelo said.

But in the hands of a determined terrorist, a limo could be a viable hotel threat. "If someone wanted to get one in there, they easily could," he said.

Wayne Dorsey, a driver for Las Vegas Limousine, downplayed the FBI bulletin.

"It's not an issue. Most of it's a lot of hype," Dorsey said. "I've talked about it with a lot of drivers. It's a joke. This is the last place these guys would blow up. Don't you think?"

An employee of Jetset VIP Limousine and Charter Bus Service, who did not provide his name, said other ways to get around town could be a more tempting terrorist weapon. "Taxis are staged easier than limos," he said. "Taxis rule this town."

The FBI bulletins warned car and rental truck companies to look out for customers who give vague or unverifiable information or who insist on paying in cash; who ask whether vehicles can be modified to carry heavier loads or increased fuel; or who ask about a limousine's exact length, height or interior volume.

The FBI also warns to be aware of customers who appear to have "burns or chemical exposure symptoms" and who provide vague or illogical explanations about the injuries; and people who make suspicious attempts to get a job at a vehicle rental agency.

Review-Journal writer Dave Berns and The Associated Press contributed to this report.