Police: Fresno man tried to rob taco stand for drug money

A Fresno man was arrested Sunday night after trying to rob a taco stand in southeast Fresno for drug money, police said.

Fresno police received a call around 10:30 p.m. from a taco stand near First Street and Tulare Avenue after a man demanded money during an altercation with the stand operator, Lt. Mark Salazar said. The suspect left without taking any of the vendor’s money.

Officers arrived minutes later and detained a man across the street from the stand who matched the suspect’s description, Salazar said.

Jovante Hall, 30, refused to obey commands and began to smack his head on the pavement, Salazar said. Hall confessed to officers that he tried to take the vendor’s money because he needed it for methamphetamine.

Hall was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail for suspected attempted robbery, Salazar said. He has an extensive criminal history for property crimes, drugs and assaulting officers.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 7:36 PM with the headline "Police: Fresno man tried to rob taco stand for drug money."