Man who stole cop car court date rescheduled

The man who police say commandeered a Nye County Sheriff’s deputy’s cruiser back in October is still awaiting arraignment.

Charles David Plinske was scheduled to appear in Pahrump Justice Court on Dec. 23, but the hearing was rescheduled for Feb. 3.

Plinske is facing numerous felony charges including grand larceny auto, possession of a stolen vehicle, intimidating a police officer and battery on a police officer stemming from an Oct. 18 incident.

Plinske was apprehended outside of the Nye County courthouse in Pahrump after allegedly fighting with a deputy, stealing the deputy’s car and taunting officers to shoot him.

The incident began after Plinske was, according to radar, driving 92 mph along state Route 160 in front of the Saddle West Hotel and Casino, which is a 35 mph posted zone.

According to the arrest report, Plinske waved at the police officer as the two passed traveling in opposite directions.

After making a U-turn, the police officer witnessed the suspect drive through the red light at state Route 372.

After eventually yielding to police lights and sirens Plinske was pulled over at the intersection of state Route 160 and Basin Avenue.

That’s when, according to the report, Plinske emerged from his black SUV and started moving towards two sheriff’s deputies while ignoring their commands.

“The suspect told both deputies several times to shoot him,” the report said.

The deputy’s Taser gun apparently had no effect on Plinske who police said jumped into one of the deputy’s vehicles and sped away.

Plinske led police to the Ian Deutch Justice Complex, 1520 E. Basin Ave.

The report stated that Plinske immediately exited the police car, and began “coming toward” a deputy and “again refused commands.”

Plinske was then pepper-sprayed, and wrestled to the ground where officers and a few civilians were able to subdue him.

He was eventually placed under arrest.

During the high speed pursuit, at least one round from a deputy’s service weapon was fired into the rear driver’s side tire of the deputy’s vehicle.

Following the incident, officers were commended for showing “great restraint” during the confrontation, which Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo said at the time, could have ended with very different outcome.

He suggested that Plinske is lucky to be alive.

“All of the deputies are trained to recognize what kind of force is appropriate for the situation,” he said. “When the deputy noticed the suspect didn’t have a weapon in his hand, the deputy transitioned from using her service firearm to pepper spray. I am very proud of the men and women of the Nye County Sheriff’s Office.”

Until his next court appearance, it remains unclear why Plinske chose to lead deputies to the courthouse, which happened to be the first day of early voting.

Additionally, the sheriff said deputies are quite familiar with Plinske, from past encounters.

“We’ve had contact with this individual during traffic stops multiple times where he showed a level of threat against deputies,” DeMeo said. “He’s been known to act in a state that would be called irrational, and that was the state he displayed during this incident, which led to his arrest.”

Plinske is currently free on $20,000 bond.