2 arrested in assault on friend for alleged pot debt

An 18-year-old Carson City man remained jailed Friday after he and a 17-year-old friend allegedly ambushed another friend for a $40 pot debt.

Cesar Noe Rodriguez was booked into the Carson City Jail on suspicion of felony battery with a deadly weapon and robbery.

According to the arrest report, the 17-year-old victim had just cashed his paycheck Thursday about 1 p.m. and was walking on Vista Grande Boulevard near Fuji Park to meet with Rodriguez and the juvenile suspect when he was jumped from behind.

The victim reported he was briefly knocked unconscious, and when he came to, Rodriguez and the other teen were helping him to his feet.

Rodriguez and the teen told police they were walking to meet with the victim when they found him lying in the dirt on the side of the road.

But upon further questioning, Rodriguez and the juvenile allegedly admitted they'd assaulted the victim, then pretended to come to his aid.

In addition to the alleged confessions, police found a bloodied $20 bill in the teen suspect's pocket, and he told officers where they could recover a mask he used in the assault.

"(Rodriguez) stated that approximately two months ago, Rodriguez and his friend had given the victim $40 for marijuana which was never delivered," Deputy Matt Putzer wrote in the arrest report.

The juvenile suspect was booked into juvenile detention on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Rodriguez's bail was set at $40,000.