Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Man arrested after two robberies fail

A Prescott man who attempted to rob two people - one of them at gunpoint - apparently selected victims who werent willing to be robbed.

Stephen Black, 18, 239 W. First St., has been arrested with two counts of attempted robbery. He has had a first appearance in Nevada County and remained in custody as of June 8.

According to a police report filed by Prescott Police Department K-9 Officer John Pettit, on June 2, Black approached the apartment of a 68-year-old Prescott and told him that he was needed at his nieces home because her apartment was on fire. The man accompanied Black away from his own home but before they reached their destination, Black reportedly pulled a gun and told the man to give him the money, the police report states.

The man reportedly refused and a brief scuffle ensued. According to the report, the man was then able to pick up a rock and tried to hit Black with the stone. The man told Pettit that Black left running.

Pettits report indicates that Black then apparently went to another apartment and knocked on the door. When the 56-year-old woman answered the door, Black was reportedly waiting with the lower half of his face covered. According to the report, Black demanded money from the woman. The report doesnt indicate that Black had a gun during that robbery attempt.

The report states that the woman made a derogatory remark to Black, and slammed the door in his face.

The woman told Pettit that someone had cut her screen and had taken a lamp and flowerpot from her porch.

Prescott Police Chief Brian Russell said both items were recovered. According to Russell, the flowers had been pulled from the flower pot and new plants were growing in the container. There is no indication yet as to whether its an illegal substance but Russell said it will be tested.

Russell said the investigation into Blacks previous actions is ongoing. As of June 8, formal charges had not been filed.