As We See It

Nevada: possibly the worst state in the union for criminals to hide in

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LVMPD finds nearly 50 fugitives every three months.
Cameron K. Lewis

Last week, U.S. Customs officials deported Dejan Radojkovic, 61, back to his native Bosnia-Herzegovina (he was arrested in Las Vegas in 2009). According to investigators, Radojkovic played a leading role in the 1995 massacre of more than 200 Muslim men and boys while a police commander, and failed to disclose his wartime history when he entered the U.S. as a Serbian refugee in 1999. While in Las Vegas, Radojkovic operated his own grocery store, joining a huge list of those who mistakenly thought the desert an ideal place to disappear. Nothing could be further from the truth. Quick note to those in hiding or about to be: Let’s assume you’re nowhere near the Strip, which possesses some of the most sophisticated surveillance technology in the world. You still have to contend with Las Vegas’ Criminal Apprehension Team and the Nevada Fugitive Investigative Strike Team, a task force including local police, the state Department of Public Safety and Department of Corrections, headed up by U.S. Marshals. Las Vegas Metro alone finds and arrests nearly 50 fugitives every three months, including polygamist Warren Jeffs and, more recently, ex-America’s Most Wanted Anton Blevins. When you think about it, this might be the worst state in the union to hide in.

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Ken Miller

Ken Miller is the editor of Las Vegas Magazine, having previously served as associate editor at Las Vegas Weekly, assistant ...

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