HENRICO—
Russell Scott Austin appeared in Henrico County court Monday morning where he was arraigned on a variety of charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, domestic assault, felony threaten to burn, brandishing a firearm, animal cruelty, and vandalism of a police unit greater than $1,000.He will remain in jail until his next court hearing in October.
August 29, 2010 1:58 PM EDT
A Sandston man is now in custody following a domestic dispute and extensive police search last night, but it's what police say he did after he was in custody that has him facing even more charges.
Shortly before 11:00 on Friday night, Henrico Police say they responded to a domestic dispute in the 300 block of Taylor Rd. Upon arrival, police say they found a frightened mother and her child who were trying to escape a man with a shotgun. Police gave chase to the suspect, setting up a perimeter in a nearby wooded area and calling in dogs and aircraft to help with the search. After over an hour of searching, police were unsuccessful in capturing the suspect.
After speaking to the victims and witnesses, police learned that the man they were looking for was 35 year-old Russell Scott Austin of Huntsman Rd. in Sandston, who police say is a convicted felon. Police immediately issued warrants for his arrest.
Shortly after midnight, police say they were able to locate Austin at a friend's house. According to Lt. Jim Price with Henrico Police, the arrest was made without incident, but it was the struggle that ensued after the suspect was in custody that caused even more problems.
"As officers attempted to escort the suspect to a police cruiser, the suspect stomped a kitten in the driveway, and then head butted a police cruiser several times, causing over $1,000 in damage," Price said.
Austin is now facing the following charges in relation to last night's incident. He is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, domestic assault, felony threaten to burn, brandishing a firearm, animal cruelty, and vandalism of a police unit greater than $1,000.
