Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Disturbance on wheels leads to man's arrest

A Stephens man was arrested in Gurdon on Wednesday, April 11, after what police are calling an unusual chain of events.

According to Gurdon Police Officer Chris Russell, he was on the parking lot between Rehkopfs grocery and Red-E-Mart on Arkansas 53 when he observed a vehicle pull up in front of him. After stopping, the female driver reportedly began throwing clothes belonging to the male passenger out of the vehicle.

Russell said she then asked him to take the man home to Stephens. He said he explained that it would not be possible for him to drive the man to Stephens, but he would be able to take the man to the Gurdon Police Department where he could wait for someone to pick him up.

The man reportedly agreed with Russells plan, but before getting into the patrol car, he attempted to get a child from a the couples car.

Russell said it was at this point that the couple began arguing with the male, identified as Vernis V. Joe, 28, of 472 Adams Street, Stephens, yelling at the woman who was not identified.

Joe was then advised that he was under arrest for disorderly conduct. Russell said he complied when asked for his hands so that he could be placed in handcuffs. However, Russell said that once one wrist had been placed in the handcuffs, Joe began to struggle, attempting to fight his way loose.

While Russell was struggling with Joe, he said the woman with whom Joe arrived left. Russell has no idea who she was or where she was from.

Joe was taken to the Gurdon Police Department where he was charged with disorderly conduct. He was issued a citation and later released to family.