For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1500094 |
| Date Issued: | Aug 19, 2015 - 10:40am |
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Sheriff's Office investigators looking for witnesses to incident in which an RPD Officer was struck by a vehicle |
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| CONTACT: | Deputy Jeff McCaskill Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-328-6370 Cell 775-771-8252 |
Investigators with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office would like to speak with anyone who witnessed last Thursday morning's incident involving a Reno Police Officer who was struck by a vehicle in a parking lot on Arlington Avenue and West 2nd Street.
Detectives are particularly interested in speaking with an individual who hailed the Police Officer with information about a subject with a gun. This witness is described as a white male adult in his mid-20's, with a long dark beard.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information useful to the investigation, is asked to call the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Detective Division at (775) 328-3320 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.
Background
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2015, a Reno Police Officer was dispatched to an unrelated call for service in the 100 block of Arlington Avenue. A citizen pointed out a subject to the Officer and reported the subject committed an Assault with a Deadly Weapon. After the Officer made contact with the subject, the subject struck the Officer with his vehicle, a black Mercedes Benz, and the Officer fired at the vehicle.
The Officer was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Detectives identified the car's owner, Russell Kirk Roberts, as a person of interest in the investigation.
Just after midnight on Saturday, August 15th, Roberts was taken into custody at a motel on 4th Street in Reno, Nevada, as part of a joint operation with Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Sparks Police Department, and Reno Police Department. Roberts surrendered to authorities without incident and was taken to a local hospital for treatment of an injury believed to have been sustained during the original incident.
Investigators would like to thank the public and Secret Witness for the tips provided in this case, which ultimately led authorities to the location of the suspect vehicle and the successful apprehension of the suspect, Russell Roberts.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.