State prison guard arrested in two Pahrump robberies

Police in Nye County have arrested a Nevada corrections officer in connection with a pair of armed robberies at a Pahrump convenience store.

Pahrump resident Vincent Matthew Czechorosky, 24, was taken into custody by the Nye County sheriff's office early Wednesday morning after a car chase that ended with a deputy firing shots at the suspect's vehicle.

Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo said deputies found Czechorosky's Department of Corrections badge in the vehicle along with a handgun and money from the most recent robbery.

Corrections spokeswoman Suzanne Pardee confirmed on Thursday that Czechorosky worked at High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs, where he was in his third year with the department.

"That's 'was,' " Pardee said. "Let's just say he's been terminated as of yesterday."

The Rebel gasoline station at the busiest intersection in Pahrump was robbed at gunpoint on Sept. 21 and again at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday by a man dressed in black.

After the second robbery, deputies were searching the area near the station when they came across a vehicle parked on the side of the road with its lights off. The vehicle took off when deputies approached, and officers gave chase.

When deputies cornered Czechorosky in a playground parking lot, DeMeo said, he sped toward them, prompting Deputy Jeffrey Benson to fire two shots into the windshield.

DeMeo said Czechorosky stopped his vehicle and fled on foot, only to be captured in the desert by a police dog.

Czechorosky was booked on multiple charges, including attempted murder of a police officer, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, burglary and grand larceny. He is jailed without bail.

DeMeo said state corrections officials called his office to express their concern and regret over the incident.

"They were deeply troubled by it, as I would be if it was one of my people," he said.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.