LAS VEGAS, Nevada (31 Mar 2009) — A man police say faked his own death to avoid arrest last year was arrested in Las Vegas this week, after Nevada Gaming Board police said they observed him cheating at a table game in the MGM Grand Casino. John Sung Park, 29, disappeared after diving with friends off of the Laguna Beach coast last September. When rescuers failed to find any trace of the missing man, authorities said they assumed the Buena Park resident's body was trapped under water – possibly in one of any number of underwater caves near Laguna Beach. But, after a series of odd details surrounding Park's disappearance began to emerge – including a report that Park had traveled to Los Angeles County to steal back his recently sold Mercedes-Benz – police suspected that the man may have faked his death to evade warrants in cases related to possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property and second-degree burglary. Park may now face further charges in Laguna, too. "When he eventually comes back to California, we will be interviewing him and possibly looking at charging him with faking an emergency – along with handing him a bill for the monies we expended while looking for him," Sgt. Jason Kravetz said. Laguna expended about $50,000 in resources while searching for Park's body, Kravetz said at the time, including fire boats, helicopters, snorkelers and dive teams. Park may also face further charges in Nevada, related to allegations that casino security witnessed Park fraudulently placing extra bets in his pile after a game's outcome had been determined, Nevada Gaming Board Police Chief Jerry Markling explained. Park also attempted to flee after officers notified him that they had found warrants on his record, he said. | | John Sung Park, 29, was arrested in Las Vegas and charged with multiple crimes. "We had made contact with him, but it wasn't until he realized … we knew that he was wanted elsewhere that he ran," Markling said. Park is being held in Clark County Jail without bail and faces an extradition hearing at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. He could be on a bus back to California in a matter of weeks, a Clark County court spokesman said. by Chris Caesar |
