Hotel employee arrested for allegedly starting Excalibur fire

Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, 4:56pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Metro Police arrested hotel employee Aviaon Lee, 28, in connection to the fire at Excalibur Hotel on Feb. 5. Lee allegedly started the fire and fabricated a story about being sexually assaulted.

Police identified monetary gain as the motive behind the sexual assault allegation.

Lee was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. She faces seven charges, including:

First-degree arson
Burglary with deadly weapon (fire)
Destroy/injure property of another over $5,000
Obstruction of extinguishment of fire
Willful or wanton disregard of safety of persons or property
False reporting of a crime

Police revealed Lee taped smoke detectors and fire suppression sprinklers. The damage she allegedly caused totaled $594,646.50. ... Read More

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Submitted by 8NewsNOWStaff

Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, 4:51pm

SANDY, Utah (ABC4 News) — After a workout at 24 Hour Fitness late Saturday night, Dan Hill found himself locked inside.

Confused as to how he could get locked in a 24-hour gym, Hill told ABC4 News he didn’t want to open the door because he knew the security alarms would sound and the cops might think he broke in.

Calling friends and family about what to do, Hill said some told him just to walk out, others said to call 9-1-1 and his wife told him to “find a comfortable place to sleep.”

“So, I called dispatch and the guy pauses for like 10 seconds and says ‘You’re where?'” Hill said. “And I said, ‘I’m in 24 Hour Fitness, and there’s an alarm system here and I don’t want to get busted for breaking and entering.'”... Read More

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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, 4:03pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — 8 News NOW’s Vanessa Murphy sat down in the studio with Marc Lotter, Director of Strategic Communications for President Trump’s re-election campaign.

Lotter highlighted the booming economy and low unemployment rate as “wins” for President Trump in his first term.

“When you look at all the
cranes dotting the landscape here in Nevada and the economy, this is something
President Trump can point to,” Lotter said. “125,000 jobs have been created in
Nevada since he was elected. 17,000 manufacturing jobs. There are very real
gains.”

Lotter also said the Trump
campaign thinks they can win in Nevada and every other state, except maybe California.

Catch the
full interview in the video above.... Read More

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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, 3:53pm

LAS VEGAS — 46-year-old Anthony Peniston was indicted on Wednesday in connection with a deadly DUI crash back in November. Police say Peniston was driving under the influence and nearly 50 miles per hour over the speed limit when he hit and killed 73-year-old Arthur Hobbs.

Peniston allegedly drove through a stop sign at the intersection of Aliante Parkway and Broadway Drive. That’s where he hit Hobbs’ car in the driver side, sending his vehicle in a tailspin, before coming to rest in the middle of the intersection. Peniston’s vehicle continued through the impact, traveling over the median, hitting a curb and coming to rest approximately 1000 feet from the initial crash.

According to the report, Peniston was traveling over 80 miles per hour in the 35 mph zone. ... Read More

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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, 3:27pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Christopher Prestipino, the man accused of killing a local model and leaving her body in the desert, bail has been revoked, according to a tweet by Mary Ann Price, the Court Information Officer for the EighthJudicial District Court.

#ChristopherPrestipino bail was revoked today & his Petition for writ of Habeas Corpus was denied by #JudgeMichelleLeavitt Prestipino is charged w 4 counts including murder & 1st degree kidnapping. His trial is set for 4/20 10:30a pic.twitter.com/d39RpZR7NB... Read More

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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, 3:16pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Two people were transported to Sunrise Trauma after a critical injury crash on Boulder Highway near Russell in the southeast Valley. One was listed in minor condition, and the other critical.

A motorcycle collided with a dark blue sedan around 2:44 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. The car in turn hit a pedestrian.

The northbound lanes of Boulder Highway after Russell are closed. Avoid the area.

3:46 PM, Road Closed (Crash) – on SR-582/Boulder Highway northbound after Russell in Clark County. Use caution around area and seek alternate routes

— Nevada DOT (@nevadadot) February 19, 2020

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. ... Read More

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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, 2:42pm

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas woman was sentenced to 14 to 45 years in prison for the death of her son, 3-year-old Daniel Theriot. In November 2019, Cassie Smith pled guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse, neglect or endangerment resulting in substantial bodily harm.

The incident occurred in September 2018 when Smith reported Daniel missing at Sunset Park. She told Metro he’d walked away while she was on the phone.

Police later found the boy’s body near the Lake Mead Recreational Area. They believed he died 12 hours before Smith called 911.

“It was absolutely disturbing how the child was killed,” said Metro Lt. Ray Spencer in 2018. “There is nothing accidental about the death of this child.”

Smith’s boyfriend Joshua Oxford, 42, was sentenced to 16 to 45 years in Daniel’s death in November 2019. ... Read More

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