In brief

Sahara near interstate 15

Jewelry store employee shot in attempted heist

An employee at a jewelry store suffered non-life threatening injuries after being shot Friday in an attempted robbery, Las Vegas police said.

Police spokesman officer Bill Cassell said the incident occurred about 1 p.m. at The Jewelers at 2400 W. Sahara Ave., near Interstate 15.

Cassell said two suspects went into the store. That's when one of the employees was shot. He said the employee was being treated a local hospital.

Police said both suspects are black males between 30 and 35 who stand 6-feet tall and are of medium build. One suspect was wearing a Washington Nationals baseball cap, dark sunglasses, a grey jacket and pants. He was armed with a chrome handgun. The other was wearing a tan fedora hat, dark sunglasses, a long black wig, dark pants and tan shoes. He was armed with a long-barrel chrome revolver, police said.

Cassell said it is unknown whether the suspects got away with any jewelry or money. They fled in a vehicle. Police said employees did not immediately comply with the suspects' demands, which promoted them to begin firing while customers were in the store.

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

loop closures possible

Holiday congestion expected at Red Rock

Watch out for traffic jams at Red Rock Canyon during Easter weekend, especially between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

That's when public lands officials expect the most congestion as visitors converge on the 13-mile, one-way road that loops through the national conservation area, west of Las Vegas.

"To ensure a high quality visitor experience which allows access for emergency vehicles" the scenic drive could be closed during peak periods, Bureau of Land Management officials said Friday.

They said signs will be posted along Route 159 if the scenic drive is closed.

Visitors can call 515-5350 to find out if the drive is open.

multiple stab wounds

Man, 28, found dead in pickup identified

The man whose body was found in a pickup in the southwest valley Thursday was identified as 28-year-old Robert Wagner Jr. of Las Vegas.

Wagner died of multiple stab wounds. His death was ruled a homicide, the coroner's office said.

His family, who reported him missing earlier in the day, was searching in the area in which he was found. Wagner was known to frequent that area.

His body was found near the intersection of Durango Drive and Wigwam Avenue, near Blue Diamond Road about 1:30 p.m. Police do not have a motive in the slaying and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

bad check case

Judge drops charges against candidate

Criminal bad check charges have been dismissed for Scott Ashjian, the Tea Party of Nevada candidate seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Harry Reid in the November election.

A clerk for Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis said Friday the judge approved the withdrawal of felony charges against Ashjian.

Ashjian paid $5,575 this week to cover a disputed check and prosecution fees.

Ashjian, 46, has filed to run as the Tea Party of Nevada candidate against Reid in November. He is one of 21 candidates, including 12 Republicans, seeking to challenge the Democratic Senate majority leader. Reid is seeking a fifth term.