Burglars used landscaping ruse to steal, police say
Las Vegas police are looking for three men who used a landscaping ruse to burglarize two southwest valley homes this week, Metro said Wednesday.
About 2 p.m. Monday, an elderly person told police that a man describing himself as a tree trimmer had distracted him while two other men entered his home, near South Jones Boulevard and Palmyra Avenue, and took multiple pieces of jewelry, police said in a release.
About 3 p.m. Tuesday, a second elderly person told police a similar story. A man had told the elderly resident he needed to check the landscaping in the backyard, while at least one other person entered the home, near Rainbow Boulevard and Twain Avenue, and took cash and jewelry, police said.
Police believe the two burglaries, that happened less than two miles apart, are related.
The man who first approached and spoke with the two residents at their respective homes was about 6 feet tall and had a heavy build, Metro wrote in the release. He wore a yellow reflective vest and a baseball cap and was very polite, the release said.
The second burglar was described as having a medium build and height. He wore a baseball cap and a flesh-colored brace on his right lower leg, the release said.
Police described the third burglar as having a heavy build and of medium height. He wore khaki pants and a blue T-shirt in the first burglary and may have tattoos on his arms, police said.
The men were using two-way radios during both burglaries, police said. In the second incident, a bystander reported a green van or SUV was parked near the home when the burglary happened.
Anyone with information about the suspects or their locations should call Metro’s property crimes section at 702-828-4809 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit www.crimestoppersofnv.com. Tips directly leading to an arrest through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward.
Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @lauxkimber.
