The man accused of committing an armed robbery at a Juneau jewelry store was charged in Juneau Superior Court Monday.
Judge Patricia Collins accepted a not guilty plea from Nathan Block’s attorney Eric Hedland to a charge of first-degree robbery, a class ‘A’ felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Block was arrested at approximately 6:30 p.m. March 29 in the 600 block of West Willoughby Avenue, roughly five hours after he allegedly pointed a gun at a clerk in the South Franklin Street jewelry store Lambros Goldsmith, tied her up and took items from the store.
Collins set a three-day trial to begin July 11. An omnibus hearing is slated for 8:30 a.m. May 11, with a pretrial hearing to follow June 29.
District Attorney Dave Brower asked Block be held without bail.
Hedland reminded the court the Alaska Constitution requires the court set bail except in capital offenses and said Block had honorably served his country in the military.
Brower said the state was seeking a $500,000 because Block pulled a gun on a person at least twice in the course of the attempted robbery.
“Especially when someone doesn’t have any ties to the community,” Brower said. “Block stated he had nothing to lose and would shoot the person if she didn’t cooperate.”
Hedland said he disagreed, “I don’t recall the witness saying that Mr. Block threatened to shoot her.”
Collins read the exact phrase given by the witness as, “I don’t want to but I will shoot you, I have nothing to lose.”
Collins stated it was an extremely serious charge and Block had few if any ties to the community and set a $500,000 cash performance bond.
The state was not aware of any prior arrest history concerning Block and was researching his military background.
One concerned friend called from Minnesota and said Block was from Elk River, Minn., had served in “the thick of it in Iraq,” and upon release had tried to get a fishing job in Alaska.
“We know Nate as a funny, lovable, loves to play music, happy kid,” friend Sarah Cramer said. “I’m really shocked that this happened. He must have just reached a breaking point, I don’t know.”
Cramer said she received a phone call from Block just more than a month ago and said he definitely sounded different, “like something had snapped.”
Cramer said a Facebook site has been set up for Block so concerned friends could relay information.
• Contact reporter Klas Stolpe at 523-2263 or at klas.stolpe@juneauempire.com.
Comments (12)
Add commentHedland
lol.. thats funny.. sad but funny.. maybe the red dog since its across the street.. while your there grab me a order of hot wings too pls.
Easy situation to comprehend;
Easy situation to comprehend; take a broken mindset or person and pair it with military training and some type of defaulted distraught timing. What do you get? Some unfortunate 20 something year old getting in major trouble.
I'm by no means validating
I'm by no means validating Blocks's actions or making excuses for him, but I'm sure we will hear of more situations such as this as more and more service men & women return from war.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/11/veterans_2010.html
No Excuses
There is no excuse for this guy. To suggest that he "snapped", that we should feel sorry for him, or that he should be given any consideration because he served in the military during a time of war is offensive to all those serving and to all those who have served. Think about it...this guys robbed someone who ID's give him...and he gets to plead not guilty and run up a tax payer tab in what will easily be 10's of thousands of $'s and then we'll get to house the idiot at 50k a year for 7 to 10 years. How is that justice?
do the crime, do the time
Sara Cramer's comment are irrelivant. He will not be judged or sentenced based on what he was like as a child. He could have sought help with any number of agencies. But no, he held up a business in broad daylight at gun point, tied up a clerk and allegitally threatened to shoot them. At the expense of your taxpayers dollars would you rather have him free to run the streets?? He is right where he belongs, in jail, awaiting trial, and since we don't have the death penalty here in Alaska, yup he'll be there with 3 squares and a cot for a while.
Really people you forget your freedom is because people like him
I have so much to say to you people and I dont know where to start. First off I am an OIF veteran and I would like to ask how many of you guys are? I find it funny that you guys just forget who stands up for your freedom when something bad happens. None of you guys know him is the way I see it and vets don't treat vets the way you guys are so maybe you should re-think the whole situation that is going on right now! Not a one of you even know if he is guilty right, oh yeah thats right you don't. while you are in the process of reading this I pray you get a life! This is a war hero and no matter if he did it or not you have to think about what is going on in Nate's head and you just might find it is going on in almost ever OIF and OEF vets heads right now! He didn't just serve in war time he went to war for all you stupid people that are talking [filtered word] right now. Shut it up I can not believe the disrespect I have seen on this. YOU MAKE ME SICK!
you have no clue....
In no way am I saying what my friend has done is right, but I believe the same for anyone who commits a crime that there is more behind it than any of us can understand. It's unfair to peg him as some lunatic criminal when he has fought for the country we live in, and probably seen more than any of us could handle. Again I am not saying what he did is ok, but there are people in this world that really care for Nate and he deserves to know that whether he screwed up or not, we are still here for him.
Minnesota
This kid has had problems since before he joined the military. He was a friend of my brother's and has had anger management issues since high school. His Facebook page has photos of him proudly smoking a glass pipe, holding weapons and lists affiliations with right-wing conservative conspiracy theorists such as Alex Jones. Good luck with the war hero angle. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1410933690
@yougotowar.....
If you served our country hoping that others would feel they owed you, I have some disappointing news. Also, if you expect Jody to ever understand you or your experiences, ain't gonna happen. But, if Mr. Block did this, he was wrong. His time in sandbox does not give him the right to wave a gun in someones face. There are much better ways to handle your problems.
That said, one vet to another, thank you for your service. Keep backing your brothers in arms, for sometimes, each other is all we have.
@silverwings
The thought that other owed me never crossed my mind and in no way am I saying anyone doing this is ok but I really think people got to look at the whole picture not just the bad stuff. If he did it he will do his time. I do not know who Jody is. I will always be there for my VETS even if what they did was wrong. The still did more for our country then most people. Also thank you for your service also!
Jody
We used to sing about Jody as we marched/ran. Slang for the civilian back home, usually doing things that would get us in trouble.
JODY
Please read my comments on last article written about me