LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – North Las Vegas police shot at a 15-year-old accused of 12 burglary charges.
The thefts occurred in the area of Valley Drive and Washburn Avenue Wednesday, Aug. 28 starting at 12:30 a.m.
Police said 12 vehicles were burglarized in nine different locations.
In the 5100 block of Rocky Bluff Street, a car alarm woke up the owner who saw a young black male inside their vehicle. The owner reported him to police who say the suspect matched the previous suspect theft descriptions.
Officers Joshua Vardoulis and Jesse Meyer responded. Police said the suspect stole a firearm from the residence he lived in.
The shooting would occur in the 4300 block of Matinee Avenue around 2:55 a.m. The suspect fired two rounds at the officers which caused one of the officers to fire three rounds.
A foot pursuit would occur and the suspect shot two more rounds at the officers. One officer shot one round, and the other fired three.
Police said officer Vardoulis, hired in 2020, fired six rounds in total. Officer Meyer, hired in 2023, fired one round.
The two officers were placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
During the exchange in gunfire, police said the suspect was shot in the left arm once. Police applied a tourniquet to the left arm and he was transported to UMC Hospital for the gunshot wound.
Police say his injuries are not life-threatening.
The 15-year-old faces two counts of attempted murder on a protected person, four counts of discharging a firearm where a person may be endangered, minor in possession of a firearm, 12 counts of burglary while in possession of a firearm, resisting a police officer while in possession of a firearm and possession of burglary tools.
Police said he is currently on probation, but has a criminal history.
North Las Vegas Police Department detectives are working with the Clark County district attorney’s office to charge the suspect as an adult.
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