Las Vegas Community Terrorized: Suspect Arrested After Brazen Vandalism, Assault on Police Officer

In yet another example of lawlessness undermining our communities, Las Vegas police arrested a man accused of wreaking havoc on a southwest neighborhood — even going as far as assaulting a police officer in broad daylight.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded around 11 a.m. on April 23 to Royal Ridge Estates, near Decatur Boulevard and Hacienda Avenue, after a resident reported a man vandalizing community walls. The suspect, Mitchell Nettles, didn’t stop there. He allegedly spray-painted the woman’s car while she tried to call 911, then proceeded to chase her and her husband as they fled for safety.

When officers arrived, they found Nettles still holding a can of spray paint. After ignoring multiple lawful commands to stop, Nettles sprayed an officer directly in the face and attempted to run. Thankfully, our law enforcement officers were able to apprehend him in a nearby parking lot without further incident — a reminder of the dangers our police face daily while protecting law-abiding citizens.

In true fashion of today’s “criminals as victims” narrative, Nettles claimed he “couldn’t breathe” during the arrest, prompting medical personnel to be called. Meanwhile, investigators discovered extensive damage across Royal Ridge Estates — roughly 15 palm tree pillars, a community sign, and an address stone were all spray-painted black.

Adding insult to injury, Nettles was also identified in a previous attack on the same community just a day earlier, when he allegedly threw a rock through a guard shack window and destroyed five security cameras.

Nettles now faces a slew of charges: battery on a protected person, property damage over $250 to $5,000, obstructing a public officer, destruction of property, and violating the conditions of a suspended sentence. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

At a time when too many politicians are quick to demonize our police and excuse criminal behavior, incidents like this make one thing clear: We need stronger support for law enforcement and tougher consequences for those who disrespect our communities and our officers.

Source: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department