Traffic stop for missing license plate leads Las Vegas police to woman wanted in $200K hotel theft

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Police arrested a woman wanted for allegedly stealing $200,000 in jewelry and other items from two tourists after she reportedly drove a car impaired and without a license plate on the Las Vegas Strip, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

Police arrested Cassandra Tovar, 31, following a traffic stop on the Las Vegas Strip on Friday, Sept. 6, they said. An officer pulled Tovar over after noticing she was driving a car without a license plate and appeared intoxicated. While checking Tovar’s information, officers learned she was wanted for theft and other charges.

On April 23, 2023, a man called police saying he was the victim of a theft, documents said. The man said he and another man were staying at the MGM Signature Towers when they met three women at a bar and later transitioned to their room.

One of the women “propositioned [one of the men] for sexual intercourse and stated it was $1,000 each,” documents said, “[The victim] stated he told her he was not paying for sex. They continued to converse outside on the balcony and [one woman] brought him a drink in a shot glass. They encouraged [the victim] to drink it. After [he] drank it, he stated he passed [out] and did not remember anything else.”

The men later woke up, finding all their jewelry and other items missing. A toxicology test later showed “various controlled substances” in the sample.

Police located surveillance video and a car registered to one of the women, they said. The woman later admitted to having drinks with the men and stealing the jewelry.

Inside the woman’s home, police said they found several high-end watches, diamond bracelets and clothing, they said. After arresting the woman, police located Tovar as a possible second suspect involved in the theft.

Police attempted to contact Tovar but were unsuccessful. A judge then signed off on a warrant for her arrest.

During Tovar’s initial court appearance, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer set bail at $20,000. Tovar remained in custody at the Clark County Detention Center as of Thursday. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for November.

Prosecutors did not file any charges related to Tovar’s traffic stop, records said. Two other women face charges for the 2023 theft.

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