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Man dies after suspect steals car during car park nap in Las Vegas
The suspect, in his fifties, allegedly drove the stolen Hyundai into a large boulder
A man has been killed in Las Vegas after a suspect allegedly stole the vehicle he was napping in and crashed it into a boulder.
The incident occurred on the morning of Saturday, outside a Walmart Supercenter on West Charleston Boulevard.
According to Lieutenant Monique Rodriguez of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), a man in his 30s was resting in the passenger seat of an unlocked, running Hyundai Sonata while a relative shopped inside. A suspect in his 50s allegedly entered the car and sped away with the victim still inside.
The high-speed flight resulted in a collision with a silver minivan before the suspect ultimately rammed the stolen vehicle into a pole and a nearby boulder.
"This accident resulted in the death of the passenger," Lieutenant Rodriguez confirmed during a press briefing. She noted that the victim essentially woke up to find himself being kidnapped.
The occupants of the minivan were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, while the suspect was apprehended at the scene.
Authorities have described the event as a "crime of opportunity," as the suspect and victim were not known to one another.
The individual in custody, who reportedly possesses an extensive criminal history, is expected to face murder charges. While the LVMPD has not yet released the identities of those involved, the investigation remains ongoing.
This tragic event follows a series of recent traffic safety initiatives in the area, and officials have used the case to remind the public of the risks associated with leaving running vehicles unattended.
