NYSP: Man faces attempted murder charges after firing at troopers, stealing car at gunpoint
A man in Allegany County faces charges of attempting to murder police officers after he allegedly fired at state troopers investigating a burglary in the rural town of Wirt on Sunday.
New York State Police said the suspect, 40-year-old Johnathan T. Russell, was taken into custody in a wooded area off county Road 8 after he ran from police and stole a vehicle at gunpoint.
Russell, who troopers said has no permanent address, was charged with three counts of attempted murder of a police officer, two counts of attempted murder, along with burglary, robbery, assault, reckless endangerment and weapon charges.
Russell was arraigned in Wirt Town Court and is being held in the Allegany County Jail without bail.
A felony hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Police: Footprints in snow led to suspect
Sunday afternoon, Amity-based troopers on the burglary investigation traced footprints in the snow to a residence in the state Route 275 area of the Allegany County town. Police contacted the homeowner in Florida, and investigators learned nobody had permission to be at the house or on the property.
According to troopers, police approached the detached garage where the footprints led and they later identified Russell as the person in the residence.
Police said Russell refused requests to come out of the house. After receiving permission to use forced entry, troopers breached the garage, where Russell fired a single gunshot, police said.
Troopers backed off and Russell fled into the wooded area behind the property carrying a weapon, officials said. Police said Russell used the weapon to steal a vehicle before he was finally forced to park.
He was taken into custody after running into the woods, police said.
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No injuries were reported.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: NY State Police: Man who shot at troopers charged with attempted murder
