The marijuana security guard told investigators he pulled out his gun and yelled at Prochaska to drop the knife, at which point Prochaska lowered the knife to his side but refused to drop it.Pictured: A grow light shines through the leaves of a cannabis plant at Northern Lights grow facility in Denver, Colorado on March 27, 2014. (Denver Post file)

Man suspected of stabbing Colorado pot shop security guard, throwing rocks at cars

Published: • Updated:

By Jesse Paul, The Denver Post

A 28-year-old Texas man was arrested Tuesday night in Pueblo County on suspicion of throwing rocks at several passing vehicles before stabbing a marijuana store security guard who tried to stop him.

Chase Prochaska, whose last known address was in Lake Jackson, Texas, was taken into custody on accusations of second-degree assault, menacing with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief. He was booked into the county jail.

At about 8 p.m. Tuesday, several people came to the Strawberry Fields  marijuana store complaining there was a man throwing rocks at vehicles traveling on the Frontage Road along Interstate 25, the county sheriff’s office said.

“The (security guard) said he went outside and tried to confront the suspect but he walked away,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “The (guard) said he followed (Prochaska), when the suspect turned toward him and began waving a knife.”

What else is happening in Pueblo County?

Not happening: Pueblo voters reject proposals to shut down existing marijuana businesses

Florida ties: 7 indicted in wide-scale illegal pot operation in Pueblo West

Babies testing positive: Pueblo worried about new moms, marijuana

Weed news and interviews: Get podcasts of The Cannabist Show.

Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Watch The Cannabist Show.

The guard told investigators he pulled out his gun and yelled at Prochaska to drop the knife, at which point Prochaska lowered the knife to his side but refused to drop it.

When the guard tried to grab the knife out of Prochaska’s hands, a struggle ensued and Prochaska stabbed the guard in the upper leg, the sheriff’s office says. The guard, who had minor injuries, detained Prochaska until deputies arrived, according to authorities.

“During the investigation, deputies learned that three vehicles were damaged by rocks that were thrown by the suspect,” the sheriff’s office said. “All three drivers said they saw the suspect standing in the road waving his arms and then heard a loud noise and noticed their vehicles had been hit by rocks. The damage to the vehicles was estimated at $3,700. None of the motorists were injured.”

This story was first published on DenverPost.com