Cornville AZ (February 4, 2015) – At 6PM on February 3, 2015, YCSO deputies were dispatched to the area of Cornville Road adjacent to the Verde Santa Fe golf course, Cornville. Deputies contacted a 51-year-old man who reported being assaulted and stabbed by suspect who was still in the area. While EMS personnel treated the victim for non-life threatening injuries to his left arm, deputies eventually located the suspect, 41-year-old Nathaniel Stubbs, about a mile away on a nearby forest service road.
Deputies discovered Stubbs had a probation warrant out of Maricopa County and was arrested. It was also determined the car he was using, a 1998 Ford Explorer, had been stolen from his mother.
Deputies obtained further details from the victim at the hospital. He told them that while he was “preaching” along the roadside at 89A and Cornville Road, Stubbs stopped in his Ford Explorer to talk to him. Stubbs was obviously intoxicated and the victim encouraged him not to drive, even offering to buy food for Stubbs. The victim returned a short time later with food and found Stubbs parked in the area consuming hard liquor. The victim convinced Stubbs to let him drive the Explorer to a roadway turnout where Stubbs could eat and sleep. As the victim was walking back to his motorhome parked in the vicinity, Stubbs drove by in the Explorer and followed the victim briefly. A few minutes later, Stubbs stopped at the victim’s nearby campsite. Stubbs initiated a confrontation and accused the victim of stealing his phone and then tried to grab the victim. The victim raised his hands to defend himself and was injured by a knife Stubb’s was holding. The victim was able to knock Stubbs to the ground and recover the knife. He also took the keys to the Ford Explorer Stubb’s had been driving and flagged down a passerby to call YCSO.
After treatment at a local hospital, Stubbs was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on his warrant and vehicle theft. Assault charges are pending follow-up with the victim who initially declined to prosecute. Stubbs was belligerent throughout the booking process. He remains in-custody on $4500 bond.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov