Around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Calgary police were called to a home after it was reported a man drove a truck through the door and back wall of a home’s detached garage.
At a press conference held yesterday, Insp. Keith Cain of the Calgary Police Service said, ” It is believed that the driver then exited the vehicle with a crowbar and used it to cause extensive damage to the inside of the house by smashing windows, destroying appliances and making holes in the walls.”
Cain also said what happened in the home was traumatic to the occupants, all of whom managed to escape without injury.
Police located the truck and a driver a short distance away and attempted to stop it. The driver then rammed the police vehicle and sped away.
Police later found the truck at a gas station. Officers, with the help of police dogs, followed the driver to another Calgary residence. While being arrested, it is alleged the suspect assaulted two police officers and an EMS worker who was also present. CBC reports the officers were spat upon. All the injuries were minor.
Brian Joseph Russell has been charged with one count of mischief causing danger to life, one count of theft under $5,000, one count of possession of break-in instruments, two counts of hit-and-run, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of assaulting a peace officer, one count of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, one count of assault, and two counts of break and enter.
One of the residents of the damaged home had previously been in a relationship with Russell and the incident has been characterized as one of domestic violence. At their press conference, police took the opportunity to advise people who encounter violence in an intimate relationship to seek help.
Russell appeared in court yesterday.
