Four suspected in teacher’s death may have struck again

Four men thought to have been involved in last week's death of an Eldorado High School teacher may have struck again, beating and robbing two people early Thursday morning, Las Vegas police said.

Police said four Hispanic men dragged the man and woman from their parked car in a desert area near Lake Mead and Los Feliz boulevards about 4:30 a.m., beat and robbed them before three of the men drove away in their gold 2003 Cadillac Deville. The fourth followed in a dark-colored -- possibly blue -- Honda Accord.

The victims were taken to a hospital for treatment, but the severity of their injuries was unknown.

The suspects matched the descriptions of several members of a group of four to six Hispanics who robbed and beat 11 people in the east and northeast valley between midnight and 6 a.m. on Oct. 20.

The violent robberies culminated in the death of Timothy VanDerbosch, a 50-year-old science teacher at Eldorado High who was walking to school about 5:30 a.m. from his nearby apartment when he was attacked by the suspects.

Injured, he was left in the street and was accidently hit and killed by a passing motorist.

According to the Clark County coroner's office, VanDerbosch died from blunt force trauma in a "crush injury" to his chest.

Police have said they will recommend murder charges against the robbers.

Las Vegas police Lt. Clint Nichols said the location of Thursday's attack, the time of day and the descriptions of the attackers lead investigators to connect it to the Oct. 20 crime spree.

"There's a strong possibility that they're connected," Nichols said.

Thursday's attack was at the same location of one of the six prior attacks, police said. All told, the group made away with about $100, cell phones and credit cards.

In those attacks, one person was stabbed in the leg, another person was pistol whipped.

In Thursday's attack, one suspect is described as between 5-feet-6 inches and 5-feet-8 inches tall, with a "chubby build and bald head," police said.

He was wearing a white T-shirt and denim jeans.

The other suspects were described as having thin builds and were wearing dark clothing. One was wearing a baseball cap, police said. All were said to be between the ages of 17 and 20.

Police said the stolen Deville's license plate number is 897WLT.

Investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department's robbery and homicide sections have collaborated in the investigation into the crime spree and VanDerbosch's death.

This week, police have canvassed where VanDerbosch was attacked and passed out fliers with his picture on them in an attempt to gain fresh leads.

Electronic billboards also have gone up throughout the valley with digital images of the same fliers, including phone numbers so people can call in with tips.

VanDerbosch's sister, Lori De Los Reyes , reached by phone Thursday evening in Indianapolis, said she is saddened to hear the suspects who beat her brother may have struck again. But, she said, there might be a silver lining.

"I'm sad to hear they're out there again. Hopefully, we can get more clues that might bring these people to justice."

De Los Reyes said her brother was cremated. His funeral will be Nov. 6 in Garrett, Ind.

Anyone with information about Thursday's attack is urged to call Las Vegas police's Robbery Section at 828-3591 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.