Attackers tried to steal Halifax comic Ian Black's jeans

Halifax comedian Ian Black was out with a friend after finishing a comedy set at the Toothy Moose night club Monday morning when he said two men on Argyle Street tried to take his pants.

"We were approached by a couple of gentlemen that seemed to have taken a shining to my pants," Black said. "They stopped us and insisted I hand over the jeans, which I did not. Soon, a tussle ensued."

Pants attack

"They sized me up, literally, figured the pants would fit and take a chance. And luckily because they were approximately my size there wasn't too much harm done. I suppose a bigger man would have done more harm, but the pants wouldn't have fit him."

Black said he got punched "a couple of times," but said he's fine.

"No teeth lost, no black eye. I still have all my parts in the right places," said Black.

Black said when it became obvious the attackers wouldn't be getting his jeans, they took off up the street.

Would-be robber returns

"[The attackers] jumped the fence into the Nova Centre construction area and tried to make their getaway," he said.

A short time later, Black said the police showed up. He said while he was being interviewed by police and being checked out by a paramedic, one of the attackers came back.

"One of the guys came walking right past us and it turns out he had dropped his phone and that turned out to be his undoing," said Black.

Police said they identified one of the suspects, a 26-year-old man who was arrested for robbery. He was scheduled to appear in provincial court Monday.

'My favourite jeans'

The pants were not designer made and didn't look that special, at least according to police.

"I thought they were a pretty nice pair of jeans myself," Black said. "There wasn't hundred dollar bills falling out of the pockets or anything like that. I mean they are my favourite jeans, so obviously there's something to them."

One of the attackers, Black said, was wearing a track suit. He said it's possible the jeans may have been needed to get into a bar. 

The experience hasn't rattled Black. He said he lives in the area and is often downtown late at night for comedy shows and his bartending job.

Clothing donations for shelters

"I recognize I'm quite fortunate and I know terrible things have happened," said Black. "I find downtown Halifax is as safe as anything, the police were there immediately.

"It's a random occurrence."

Black said he wants to turn the negative experience into something positive. He wants people to bring clothing donations for Shelter Nova Scotia to his show Sunday at 9 p.m. at the Toothy Moose.

"Winter is coming, it's a cold city, people need help. So come on down to the comedy show to hear the whole story. If you have some old winter clothing, anything like that, bring it on down. Not just jeans for punks who want to get into the Dome," said Black.