BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man was arrested Sunday in Allegany County after he allegedly fired a weapon near police while committing a burglary and stole a vehicle at gunpoint, New York State Police announced.
Police said they responded around 2 p.m. to a report of a burglary on State Route 275 in the Town of Wirt. Authorities contacted the homeowner, who was in Florida, and confirmed no one had permission to be on the property.
Troopers eventually encountered 40-year-old Jonathan T. Russell, of no known address, who was allegedly inside a detached garage on the property after police identified footprints in the snow, according to police. Russell allegedly refused to exit the garage but was communicating with police.
Police received permission to use forced entry and upon entering the garage, Russell allegedly fired a single gunshot, officials said. Russell is alleged to have fled into the woods as troopers set up a perimeter.
The weapon Russell allegedly used to fire at police. Photo: New York State Police
Police said Russell was later observed on County Route 8 after he allegedly stole a vehicle at gunpoint, and he was forced to park the vehicle by troopers. He allegedly fled into a wooded area after stopping before being taken into custody.
Russell was charged with:
Three counts of attempted murder of a police officer
Two counts of attempted murder
One count of first-degree robbery
One count of third-degree burglary
One count of criminal use of a firearm
One count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
One count of first-degree reckless endangerment
One count of second-degree assault
One count of resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration
Russell was arraigned and remanded to the Allegany County Jail without bail. He is scheduled to return to court Wednesday.