For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1500105 |
| Date Issued: | Sep 17, 2015 - 4:24pm |
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Sheriff's Office asks for public's help identifying two potential witnesses to Officer involved shooting |
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| CONTACT: | Deputy Jeff McCaskill Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-328-6370 Cell 775-771-8252 |
Detectives investigating a mid-August incident in which a Reno Police Officer was struck by a vehicle on Arlington Avenue near West 2nd Street have identified two men from surveillance photos that they are hoping to locate and interview. The photos of the two men are attached to this press release.
Witness #1 is described as a white male approximately 5 foot 9 inches tall, seen on camera, wearing a dark gray t-shirt and light colored jeans with black shoes and a gray Arizona Diamondbacks baseball hat.
Witness #2 is described as a black male approximately 5 foot 10 inches tall, with short dark hair, last seen wearing a light colored shirt and light blue jeans.
Detectives are interested in speaking to these men as witnesses only. Neither is facing criminal charges related to this incident. Anyone who may have information about the identity of these two potential witnesses 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. An unknown 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.