Cassidy Russ, 32, gained police attention in Corning, California — approximately three hours northeast of San Francisco — when officers reported hearing loud pounding outside the police headquarters on the 700 block of Third Street just after 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday evening. When officers went to check the ruckus, they spotted Russ walking away from the police station toward Solano Street.
Officials allegedly tried to converse with Russ, but it was clear to them that he was up to no good when he was seen fiddling with an object at his waistband while walking away and disregarding the policemen, according to the cops. Then, while he ignored police’ verbal directions, Russ lit what was subsequently discovered to be a Molotov cocktail and tossed it at a cop before trying to flee, dashing west on Solano Street.
Fortunately, the device missed the cop, but it exploded near a parked vehicle. In a police news release, it caused a fire, which a nearby business owner had to put out.
The cops were not about to allow Russ, who escaped on foot, get away. However, as Cassidy Russ tried to run, cops pursued him on foot and in a patrol car until an off-duty officer ultimately apprehended him. The off-duty cop grabbed Russ, however the culprit resisted arrest, hiding his hands in his belt and rucksack, according to police. The cops employed baton blows and “pain-compliance measures” to subdue Russ, but he kept fighting arrest aggressively. His attempts, though, were ultimately fruitless.
Cassidy Russ was finally taken to the Tehama County Jail and arrested on many counts, involving attempted murder, use of an explosive device, arson, violence on a peace officer, and resisting arrest. As per reports, he was ordered jailed without bail.
Russ was charged with felony attempted murder of a peace officer, two counts of possessing an exploding or igniting destructive device, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, obstruct/resist executive officer, and arson possession of a manufactured destructive device during his arraignment. He was given the services of a public defender.
SUSPECT: CASSIDY BRENT RUSS CHARGES: PC664/187(A) – ATTEMPTED MURDER; PC18740 – USE OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE AND…
Posted by Tehama County District Attorney's Office on Friday, 2 December 2022
Unfortunately, Cassidy Russ’s encounter with cops was not his first, nor was it his first time reportedly trying to use a Molotov cocktail against them. According to authorities, Russ had an open arrest warrant for a similar incident just months previously, in which he hurled a Molotov cocktail near a staging area for marked patrol cars.
A image is worth a thousand words, and Cassidy Russ’ mugshot suggests he received a costly price for playing with fire. You’ll be burnt if you play with fire. If you resist arrest, you’ll be subjected to “pain-compliance measures.”
