Sunday, August 22, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Arrest made in cabby attack

Police say suspect was heard bragging about robbery, setting driver on fire

A man who boasted about setting a cabby on fire was arrested Saturday in connection with the fiery Friday night robbery of a Nellis Cab driver, police said.

Las Vegas police arrested James Scholl, 33, about noon in a downtown apartment on Eighth Street, robbery Sgt. Gayland Hammack said.

Police began looking for Scholl after a tipster heard him bragging about robbing a cabby and setting him on fire, Lt. Ted Snodgrass said.

When police found Scholl, his hair was singed, he said.

Investigators also found clues in the apartment linking Scholl to the attack that left the unidentified cabdriver in critical condition with severe burns at University Medical Center, he said.

"It's a real strong case," Snodgrass said.

The cabby picked up the robber about 7:40 p.m. outside the Olympic Garden strip club on Las Vegas Boulevard South. Within moments the robber demanded the cabby's cash. When the cabby refused, the robber doused him with fuel and lit him on fire with a match, police said.

A passer-by quickly put out the flames, but not before the driver suffered serious burns to his throat, lungs and more than 70 percent of his body.

"You don't douse someone with gasoline and light them on fire," Hammack said. "There's no reason in hell you do that to another human being."

Scholl was booked at the Clark County Detention Center on charges of attempted murder, robbery, burglary, mayhem and possessing stolen property.

Police also planned to book him on charges related to another cab robbery earlier this month, Hammack said.

Investigators still were seeking information about the attack. Anyone with additional information can call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.