News

November 21, 2009

Man faces charges in alleged assault of cops

Russell W. McRee, of Swoyersville, faces assault and resisting arrest charges after Wilkes-Barre incident.

WILKES-BARRE – A Swoyersville man was arrested Thursday night on charges he assaulted two city police officers.

Police allege Russell W. McRee jumped onto the rear of Officer Kevin Steve’s police cruiser and began punching and kicking the patrolman and Officer Dana Cope.

McRee, 49, was the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash in the area of Ward Trucking, 109 S. Diamond St., police said.

Necessary force was used by officers to overcome the attack, police said.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police responded at 3:54 p.m. to a report of an accident and a possible domestic dispute between McRee and his estranged wife at her place of employment, Ward Trucking.

McRee, driver of a GMC Safari van, drove the vehicle across a parking lot and struck two fences and a utility pole.

Steve, the arriving officer, observed a man, later identified as the suspect, running toward the police cruiser, yelling “Over here, it’s me,” the criminal complaint states.

McRee jumped onto the trunk of the officer’s fully marked patrol car.

As the patrolman got out of his cruiser, McRee began to fight with Steve.

A second officer was called to the scene a short time later.

Police said McRee began to escalate his violent behavior by continually trying to strike and kick both officers. During the struggle, the suspect kicked Cope several times in the legs.

McRee yelled, “Just kill me, c’mon just (expletive) kill me. If you don’t kill me I’ll (expletive) kill you.”

No injuries were reported.

Police said McRee was transported to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where he submitted to blood-alcohol content testing.

McRee, of 164 Oliver St., was arraigned Friday morning and charged with two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault, one count of resisting arrest and several traffic offenses.

He was taken to Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $10,000 straight bail.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 2.

Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.

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