After leaving the Cortez Walmart, a Durango mans good intentions were rewarded with violence.
Two men are now being held in La Plata County Detention Center in Durango on charges of aggravated robbery and attempted second-degree assault.
The men allegedly attacked and stole the van of a good Samaritan who offered them a ride.
Durango resident Casey Larsen was shopping at the Cortez Walmart when 43-year-old David Nez and his son Darrell Nez, 24, both of Tsaile, Ariz. approached him in the parking lot asking for money.
Larsen told them he could not give them money but was leaving for Durango if they needed a ride, which they accepted.
The men began drinking beer they had in their back packs and after Darrell Nez became sick twice, Larsen told them they had to get out of his van.
Darrell Nez then allegedly tossed a chain around Larsens neck and began to try and strangle him. Larsen slammed on his brakes and quickly slipped the chain from his neck. A fight between the three men ensued in the van, then spilled outside where the suspects attempted to drag Larsen down a hill, according to the report.
Larsen escaped but the two men alledgedly took off in the 1988 van. Larsen was able to flag down a passing motorist who had a cell phone and called 911.
La Plata County Sheriffs Deputy Mike Morris spotted the van in the 4000 block of La Plata County Road 141. The men were taken into custody a short time later.
Both are being held on $25,000 bond. Larsen sustained minor injuries.
