Thieves drive off with rocker’s car, dog food

Rocker Paul Shortino, who played Duke Fame in the mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap,” and his wife, Carmen, had their 2008 Cadillac CTS stolen Wednesday while having lunch downtown.

“Had to be professionals,” said Shortino. “There was no broken glass. It was like that Nicolas Cage film, ‘Gone in 60 Seconds.’ ”

“They probably had a fob that picked up my signal,” said his wife, who said she was “bummed out” because the car was a gift from her mother.

The Shortinos had attended a 1:30 p.m. ceremony in which Mayor Carolyn Goodman dedicated a fire hydrant in front of City Hall to honor Keno, Nevada’s first participant in Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl on Sunday.

The Shortinos, well-known for their efforts to raise money and collect food for the Nevada SPCA, were invited to the event.

The trunk of the stolen car was filled with dog food for rescue dogs, said Shortino, a former member of Rough Cutt and Quiet Riot and currently performing with Raiding the Rock Vault at the Tropicana.

After the Keno event, the Shortinos went to lunch at Carson Kitchen, parking on the corner of Sixth Street and Carson Avenue.

Police informed them they were likely dealing with one of three scenarios: a joy ride, a chop shop or the car was driven to Long Beach “and straight onto a ship to Europe,” said Carmen.

The Caddy is gun metal gray. A cleft note is painted in the center of the back bumper.

It was insured, she said.

She’s the granddaughter of the late Walter S. Zick, a pioneer architectural engineer who designed dozens of structures, including the Flamingo for mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel.

Zick, who arrived in Las Vegas in 1945, told his family he once got a call from Siegel, who wanted a case incorporated into his office wall.

“It turned out to be for his machine gun,” she said.

GOODMANS ON BOARD

It’s a two-fer, with a birthday party to boot.

Mayor Goodman and her husband, former Mayor Oscar Goodman, will join me March 22 for our latest “Conversations with Norm” at Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for Performing Arts.

Her birthday arrives three days later.

Shawn Tempesta of KTNV-TV, Channel 13’s “Morning Blend” will be the announcer.

Proceeds from the quarterly interview series go to the center’s education and outreach programming fund.

All participants donate their time. Ticket information will be available late next week at 702-749-2000.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Las Vegas-based J.T. the Brick is broadcasting his nationally syndicated sports show for the 16th year at the Super Bowl. His show airs on 250 stations on the Fox Sports Radio Network, from 3-7 p.m. locally on KMZQ Fox Sports Radio 670. …

Former KTNV-TV sports anchor Bryan Salmond recently moved from New Orleans to WFXT-TV in Boston as a weekend sports anchor and reporter. His first day on the job was flying to Phoenix to cover the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. He was weekend sports anchor at Channel 13 from 2005-09.

SIGHTINGS

Dee Snider, Twisted Sister frontman and recent “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant, joining “The Rat Pack is Back” members (Dennis Blair, Brian Duprey, Drew Anthony and Kenny Jones) after Wednesday’s show at the Rio. … Talk-show host Leeza Gibbons, celebrating her husband’s birthday at Giada (Cromwell) on Wednesday. … DJ Steve Aoki, meeting Britney Spears before her show Wednesday at Planet Hollywood Resort. … At Greens and Proteins on Thursday: UFC champion Demetrious Johnson, former champs Carlos Condit and Forrest Griffin and women’s strawweight contender Paige Vanzant.

THE PUNCH LINE

“More bad news for the New England Patriots. The NFL now has video of those deflated footballs alone in an elevator with Ray Rice.” — David Letterman

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.