Lake Mead hunt fails to capture Arizona fugitive

Authorities called off the hunt for an Arizona fugitive after an unsuccessful four-hour search Friday in the Las Vegas Bay area on the western edge of Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Henderson.

Darren Eugene Morrison, 26, of Bullhead City, Ariz., fled after park rangers pulled him over around 10 a.m. for erratic driving at Lake Mead, according to a Andrew Munoz, a spokesman for the National Park Service. He is wanted on a warrant for aggravated assault in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Munoz said, but is not believed to be armed or a danger to the public.

During the traffic stop, Morrison drove about half a mile before stopping his car and running into the desert near Las Vegas Bay.

Several agencies, including park rangers, Las Vegas and Hoover Dam police and Nevada game wardens assisted in the search. A National Park Service aircraft and Las Vegas police K-9 units also participated in the search, which turned up tracks, according to the National Park Service.

Morrison may have reached the River Mountain Loop Trail, which is a 37-mile trail through Lake Mead in Henderson and Boulder city, Munoz said.

Morrison stands 6 feet 3 inches, weighs 195 pounds and has brown hair. He was last seen wearing blue shorts and a black tank top. Anyone who has information regarding Morrison's whereabouts should contact police or the National Park Service at 702-293-8998.

Jessica Fryman at jfryman@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.