LV crime lab helps Arizona nab suspect

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- Fingerprint analysis at the Metropolitan Police Department's crime lab in Las Vegas helped Arizona authorities identify and arrest a suspect wanted for a homicide last December in Kingman. Duane Bernez, 40, of Phoenix was arrested Wednesday in Gilbert.

Bernez was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Vipps Uppal, 60, of Kingman. Police said Uppal, store manager at a downtown Kingman truck stop, confronted Bernez after he tried to steal DVDs.

Police Sgt. Rusty Cooper said a struggle ensued and Uppal suffered a severe head injury when he was pushed to the ground at the fuel island of the business. Uppal later died at University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

Analysis of fingerprints lifted from some of the DVDs led to the identification of Bernez as a suspect.