Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 1500096
Date Issued: Aug 25, 2015 - 7:15pm

Sheriff's Detectives arrest Reno man for attack on Reno Police Officer

CONTACT: Deputy Jeff McCaskill
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-328-6370
Cell 775-771-8252

Washoe County Sheriff's Office Detectives arrested Russell K. Roberts, age 25 of Reno, this afternoon as part of an ongoing investigation of the August 13 incident in which a Reno Police Officer was struck by a vehicle on Arlington Avenue in Reno and West 2nd Street.

In addition to the original warrants that led to his arrest, Roberts now faces felony charges of Attempted Murder on a Police Officer and Battery with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer. Roberts is currently in the custody of the Washoe County Detention Facility.

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 Roberts, the suspect vehicle's owner, as a person of interest in the investigation.

Thanks to information from the public, Roberts was taken into custody just after midnight on Saturday, August 15 at a motel on 4th Street in Reno 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.

Detectives are still interested in speaking with witnesses to the incident. Anyone 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.


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.

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