Carson City sheriff's arrest log: Shoplifter jailed after throwing large rock at store security

A 43-year-old Carson City man was arrested Wednesday on felony charges of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and burglary after allegedly stealing items from a department store and then throwing a large rock at two store security officers as he was trying to escape, a Carson City sheriff’s deputy said.

James Lennard Bruce, also faces misdemeanor charges of petit larceny and being an intoxicated pedestrian. His bail has been set at $62,929.

According to the arrest report, officers were dispatch at 7:25 p.m. to Kohl’s department store in the 3800 block of South Carson Street for a report of a larceny. A loss prevention officer called police and stated a man stole items and fled the store.

The store officer told dispatch the suspect, James, threw a rock at her and her partner, nearly striking them. A deputy detained the suspect in front of the Ross store in the parking lot south of Eagle Station Road.

The officer spoke with two store officers who stated they were watching for shoplifters inside. They watched as James selected a pair of pants and a bottle of perfume, with an aggregate value of $98, concealing the items on his person and then exiting the store without paying, the arrest report states.

The two officers exited the store to apprehend James. One officer asked James for the property back and to come back inside the store. He said the suspect dropped the pants on the sidewalk and fled southbound across Eagle Station Lane. The store officers followed the suspect, who then picked up a rock from a nearby planter bed and threw it at the two, nearly striking them. They stopped their pursuit and called police.

The officers said they felt endangered by the rock that was thrown because it nearly hit them. The two were not injured and said they wanted to press charges against James. The officer found the rock in question, approximately 4 inches by 4 inches weighing five to 8 pounds. It appeared the rock could cause serious injury or death based on its weight, dimensions and the way it was used against the officers, the arrest report states. The sheriff’s deputy photographed the rock and booked it into evidence. The pants and stolen perfume were recovered and returned to the store.

The store officers completed written statements, a citizens arrest form and provided the sheriff’s deputy of surveillance footage they had of the incident. James was taken to jail and released to staff without incident. A review of his criminal record revealed three petit larceny convictions in 2008, 2011 and 2014, and a burglary conviction in March 2014.

In other arrests:
— A 36-year-old Carson City man was arrested Wednesday on misdemeanor charges of violation of alternative sentencing conditions and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanor offenses. According to the arrest report, a deputy was called to the 300 block of Lee Street at 9:33 p.m. regarding an unwanted subject at the location refusing to leave.

The officer arrived and could smell alcohol on the man’s breath. He was uncooperative and did tell the officer he drinks. A records check showed the man to be on alternative sentencing with a “no alcohol” condition. He refused a preliminary breath test. The Department of Alternative sentencing was noted sand said they wanted him arrested for the violation. He was also found to be in possession of a meth pipe. Bail: $4,137.

All information for the crime log (unless otherwise noted) comes from the arrest reports supplied by the Carson City Sheriff's Office, and is considered by law to be public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The policy of Carson Now is to name anyone who is arrested for a felony offense.