[CPProt.net] Las Vegas man accused of stealing Elvis jewelry appears in court

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

December 09, 2005 

Las Vegas man accused of stealing Elvis jewelry appears in court 
By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY
ASSOCIATED PRESS 

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A man charged with stealing more than $300,000 worth of
Elvis Presley's jewelry from the Elvis-A-Rama museum appeared in court
Friday and later expressed fears about receiving a fair trial. 

Eliab Aguilar, 30, would not comment on his guilt or innocence, but told The
Associated Press that he's worried about being tried in Las Vegas. 

"My case is such a high-profile case," he said after appearing before
District Court Judge Deborah Lippis. "So many people here know about it and
are into it." 

Aguilar was arrested last month after police said he approached a retired
Elvis impersonator at a pharmacy and offered to sell him several items
stolen from the Las Vegas museum. The memorabilia include Presley's 1953
class ring from Humes High School worth $32,000, a 41-carat ruby and diamond
ring worth $77,000 and a gold-plated Smith & Wesson .38 special. 

Duke Adams, a 62-year-old who described himself as an "older-era Elvis,"
called police and Aguilar was arrested the next day. 

Aguilar is charged with two counts of possession of stolen property, grand
larceny auto, grand larceny, burglary and escape. He was released on bail
and is due back in court for a preliminary hearing Feb. 24. If convicted on
all charges Aguilar could face up to 70 years in prison. 

In March 2004, thieves backed a tow truck into the Elvis-A-Rama museum and
used the vehicle's hook to lift an overhead door. Police say the burglars
heisted the loot in a matter of minutes, took off on a scooter or motorcycle
and left behind the truck, which was owned by Auto Guardian towing company. 

Aguilar is a former employee of the company and had been on a list of
possible suspects, Las Vegas police Detective Kelli Hickle said. 

"He was one of the people on an extensive list. It was difficult to look at
all of them," she said. 

Hickle said she believes a woman also was involved in the crime, though
Aguilar has refused to cooperate with police. 

All of but one of the stolen items - a silk scarf emblazoned with the Las
Vegas Hilton logo - has been recovered, and none was damaged. 

Elvis-A-Rama owner Chris Davidson has said the items will be returned to the
collection, which he sold, along with the museum, in September to New
York-based CKX Inc. 

CKX, the owners of the Elvis Presley estate, plan to close the Las Vegas
museum next year. 

http://www.lasvegassun.com/