LAS VEGAS -- Two men were arrested Friday in a deadly Las Vegas Strip bombing that police believe was tied to a tangle of romantic relationships.
Authorities arrested Omar Rueda-Denvers, 32, on charges of murder with the use of a deadly weapon, attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon and possession of an explosive device.
Police say Rueda-Denvers, of Panama, targeted the victim, an immigrant worker at a hot dog stand, and the victim's girlfriend, who had an earlier relationship with Rueda-Denvers.
Police also arrested a 27-year-old Nicaraguan construction worker, Porfirro Duarte Herrera, at his home on the east side of Las Vegas. They described him as an associate of Rueda-Denvers, but did not detail how they believe he was involved in the bombing. Herrera was being held Friday as an alien in possession of a firearm, but police said they expect to file more charges.
"This was a very cold, calculated, planned attack," police Lt. Lewis Roberts said. "These are very, very bad individuals."
Police have said a small bomb was planted on the top of 24-year-old Willebaldo Dorantes Antonio's car while he worked at a Nathan's Famous hot dog stand early Monday inside the Luxor hotel-casino. Police said materials that could have been used to make the bomb were found in Rueda-Denvers' home.
When Dorantes Antonio returned to the parking lot at about 4 a.m., accompanied by his girlfriend, he picked the device up and it exploded, blowing a 12-inch hole in his car. Dorantes Antonio died at a hospital about two hours later.
The girlfriend, a co-worker of Dorantes Antonio, escaped injury.
The woman is also the mother of Rueda-Denvers' child, and the pair had been arguing over his right to see the child, police said. Rueda-Denvers was kicked off Luxor property two months ago, said Carla Alston, a police spokeswoman.
Police said they do not believe the woman was involved in the bomb plot, and are considering her a target, not a suspect. She was in the country illegally and has been in the custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, pending deportation to Guatemala.
The charges against Rueda-Denvers carry a minimum punishment of 40 years to life in prison. The murder charge could carry the death penalty.
If convicted of the weapons charge, Herrera faces one to six years in prison.
It was not immediately clear if Rueda-Denvers or Herrera had an attorney.
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