Police arrest man linked to chain of robberies in Las Vegas Valley

A man wanted by Las Vegas police and the FBI in connection with about 20 robberies in the valley was arrested Wednesday night.

The arrest of Wyatt Peterson, 33, put an end to a weeklong manhunt. Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Sheriff Tom Roberts said Thursday that Peterson is being held at the Henderson Detention Center, and the case against the man will be prosecuted in federal courts.

Metro police were called to a SuperPawn store, 300 N. Nellis Blvd., near Stewart Avenue, to investigate an armed robbery about 8:40 p.m. Wednesday. Police quickly identified the suspect in the robbery as Peterson, thanks to the department’s efforts in getting information about the manhunt to area businesses, Roberts said.

Officers had been a watching a “residence of interest” less than a mile from the pawn shop robbery and found Peterson there, Roberts said. The man ran from the home and invaded another home on the 300 block of Romero Drive.

Roberts said he unsuccesfully tried to steal car keys from residents of the home, and police took him into custody as he attempted to flee.

The robberies Peterson is suspected of committing started at businesses on the east side of the valley in November but expanded to businesses on the west side in the following weeks, police said.

Officers were close to taking Peterson into custody after a robbery attempt Friday, but he was able to evade police, a Metro official said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon about the case.

The FBI announced a $10,000 reward for tips leading to Peterson’s arrest Dec. 16. Roberts said it wasn’t clear Thursday if anyone would be receiving that reward.

Staff writer Wesley Juhl contributed. Contact Lawren Linehan at llinehan@reviewjournal.com or at 702-383-0381. Follow @lawrenlinehan on Twitter.