Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Two will face theft charges

Two men involved with a high-speed chase that resulted in a crash have been formally charged in Nevada County Circuit Court.

Benjamin E. Mitchell, 604 Dempsey St., Waldo, and Malvin Tidwell Jr., 1472 Highway 76, Rosston, had first court appearances and each face charges of theft and fleeing.

According to information filed at the circuit clerks office by Nevada County Chief Deputy Wayne Kissleburg, officers received a report on Feb. 25 of a suspicious vehicle in a rural part of the county. The resident who reported the incident also indicated that hed heard a noise that sounded like a gunshot.

When the resident approached the two men, they reportedly got into a white car and fled the area. According to the report on file, the resident attempted to follow them but then returned to the scene and discovered that power lines had been cut. He then reported that to the Nevada County Sheriffs Office.

Later that day, Prescott Police K-9 Officer John Pettit clocked a vehicle at 100 miles per hour on Highway 67 in Prescott. He reportedly attempted a traffic stop, but the white car failed to yield, according to the report. Pettit later identified the driver as Mitchell and the passenger as Tidwell, the report states.

Pettit followed them to Nevada 227 where the car apparently lost control in a curve and wrecked. Pettit was unable to stop his patrol car before striking Benjamins vehicle, according to the report.

There was reportedly copper wire in the truck and the two men allegedly admitted that theyd stolen the wire from power lines in the Cale area.

The value of the copper wire was estimated at $2,000, according to Kissleburgs report.

Trial in the case is set for April.