Crime spree has Sun City Summerlin residents on alert

It sounds more like a movie script than real life: attempted robbery; shots fired; break-ins and $11,000 worth of computer equipment stolen.

But the laid-back retirement community of Sun City Summerlin has been hit with a number of crimes of late.

The following was included in a report sent out to residents by the Sun City Summerlin Community Association and Association Executive Director Paul Henderson:

“Sun City Summerlin is working closely with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Northwest Area Command, on several incidents that have occurred in the community over the last four days.

Those incidents, which occurred from Thursday, April 7, to Sunday, April 10, included two attempted robberies of residents at gun point, two break-ins of the Sun City Computer lab and classroom at the Pinnacle Community Center and three home break-ins.

Sun City is exploring expanding its current alarm and video surveillance systems throughout its facilities, and the Association is committed to working with Metro to help residents stay vigilant during this time of heightened alert. If you see something, say something. Everyone needs to be vigilant. It’s important to get to know your neighbors and if you see something suspicious, call 311. If you see a crime taking place, call 911.”

Board member Joe O’Connell went a bit further, offering, “The Board believes we should get cameras installed at all of our main entrances to Sun City Summerlin. The cameras should have the capability to identify license plates and we would like to expedite the installation of these cameras.”

A Look Back

Each of April 7’s two attempted robberies occurred in the early morning, with confirmations that the suspect began his crime spree unsuccessfully at the Omelet House, 2227 N. Rampart Blvd. A resident was confronted at gun point and told to give up his wallet. The resident refused and attempted to drive away in his golf cart. As he drove away, the suspect shot at him twice. The resident called 911.

Shortly after this incident, another attempted robbery occurred.

“The second victim was confronted in one of our parking lots. The robber approached the victim’s car and pointed his gun at the resident and told him to give up his wallet,” read the community association’s report. “The victim didn’t have any money with him and was able to convince the robber to leave. The resident reported what had just happened to one of our monitors, who called 911.”

The suspect, as described by both victims, is a white male in his mid-30s, around 195 to 200 pounds and clean-shaven with brown, curly hair. He was driving a white sedan.

Computer Club Break-ins

According to a Computer Club representative, burglars hit the computer lab and classroom twice over the weekend, early on April 9 and 10, taking 12 computers. The total replacement value is estimated at $11,000. The computer lab will be closed, and all lab activities are canceled until further notice.

Security Patrol weekend report

Also according to the community association report: “A call to (Sun City Summerlin) Security Patrol’s watch commander revealed three home break-ins were reported by residents, one each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All three burglaries were logged as having been perpetrated the night before.”

Susan, who did not want her last name used, had not heard about the crimes. She moved to Sun City Summerlin last year from the The Lakes area.

“I had felt safe here, but now it’s worrisome. Guns? It’s scary,” she said.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch program is a popular option with Sun City residents. (Metro did not reply to requests for comment before deadline.)

Bill Henriod, chief of the Sun City Summerlin Security Patrol, said there were a number of things residents, many of whom are snowbirds, could do to keep themselves and their properties safe.

For one, they should not advertise that they’re gone for weeks or months.

“Cancel the newspaper; stop your mail,” he said. “A thief will look for every opportunity, so if you don’t broadcast that you’re not there,” one is less apt to be a victim.

Sun City residents can ask the community’s patrol to take delivered packages to the back of the house while they’re away. Some will arrange with neighbors to do the same.

Henriod said most home burglaries in Sun City occur in the daytime, often to homes along the golf courses or near intersections.

His wife, Sharon, was manning the switchboard during a recent interview. She said one of the things residents will do is work in their back yard and leave either their garage door up or their front door open, thinking they’re safe because they’re still on their property.

Not so, she said.

“It can take two to five minutes to burglarize a home,” she said. “And in five minutes, they’re gone.”

The patrol has the job of monitoring 73 miles of streets. It has a fleet of hybrids manned by volunteers 24/7, but even that is not enough, Henriod said.

“People are under the illusion that this is a crime-free area,” Henriod said. “But … no place is crime-free.”

To reach the patrol, Sun City residents can call 702-254-2303. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/jhmx4vw.

To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.