Suspect Assaults Trooper, BPD Officer During Arrest for Warrants

A Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant and a Boston Police Officer apprehended a suspect wanted on warrants after a foot pursuit and violent resistance by the man near the Melnea Cass Boulevard/Massachusetts Avenue area.

Just before 7:50 AM today the MSP Lieutenant assigned to Troop H was driving in the area of Southampton Street when he observed a man he knew was the subject of active arrest warrants. When the Lieutenant approached JOSEPH W. RUSSELL, 27, of Weymouth, the suspect fled on foot down Atkinson Street. The MSP Lieutenant and a Boston Police Officer pursued him on foot. As the suspect ran, he tried to instigate an attack on the Trooper and Officer by people loitering on the street.

The two law enforcement officers caught up to RUSSELL, who kicked and punched them both in an unsuccessful attempt to evade arrest. RUSSELL was taken into custody. At some point during the confrontation, the MSP Lieutenant suffered a minor injury He was transported by Boston EMS to Boston Medical Center for evaluation.

RUSSELL was transported to the State Police-Tunnels Barracks where he was booked on the two outstanding warrants – both for drug offenses, one out of Boston Municipal Court, the other out of South Boston District Court -- and new charges of assault and battery on a police officer (two counts) and resisting arrest for today’s incident. He is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court today.

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