FERNDALE, Wash. — The Ferndale Police Department (FPD) provided additional details regarding several incidents that led up to the detention and arrest of Vincent Russell, age 35, on Thursday, April 14th.
According to a press release from the FPD today, April 18th, FPD officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of Malloy Road about 5pm due to a report of a rollover crash. The driver, identified as Russell, was reportedly agitated while he away from the scene.
FPD officers were then dispatched to a pedestrian versus vehicle incident in the 6600 block of Portal Way. A pedestrian whose description matched that of the driver from the Malloy Road crash had walking into the roadway, ran at vehicles and tried to get into occupied vehicles. In 1 instance, Russell charged at a driver who was trying to drive away and was struck by the vehicle.
The first officer to arrive encountered “a very agitated” man who quickly approached with his arms outstretched with his fists clenched while yelling at the officer to shoot him. The officer was able to maintain a distance and then followed the man as he continued walking.
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Click for more informationFPD officers and deputies from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office also responded. Russell refused to obey their commands and ran away while saying he was not going to go back to jail.
At a point when officers caught up with Russell he kept a hand in his jacket pocket, gesturing he had a gun. When asked, he said there was a gun in the pocket. He then “aggressively approached officers, deputies and a civilian motorist in the area.” It was at this point a Taser was used to “temporarily incapacity” Russell so he could be safely taken into custody.
Medical aid crews from Whatcom County Fire District 7 were requested to evaluation Russell’s injuries but he was uncooperative. Since he had been involved in 2 vehicle collisions and had a Tazer used on him, he was transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center to be evaluated.
Hospital staff released Russell as fit for jail and, according to jail records, was booked into Whatcom County Jail and charged with the following.
- 2 counts of 1st degree driving while his license was suspended
- attempting to elude a police vehicle
- 3rd degree malicious mischief
- possession of a stolen vehicle
- possession of stolen property
- resisting arrest
He was also booked under a bench warrant from Ferndale Municipal Court for failure to appear in a case where he is charged with 4th degree assault.
Russell is scheduled to make a preliminary court appearance in Whatcom County Superior Court today.