Man on the Run After Assaulting Crossing Guard
A man accused of assaulting a female railroad crossing guard in the Philadelphia area last week managed to evade authorities for four days and more than 500 miles before his capture in South Carolina.
Derby Borough Police announced the arrest on Friday of 27-year-old Rasheem Russell, who faces multiple charges including aggravated assault, simple assault, stalking, and making terroristic threats.
According to police, Russell, who stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds, was caught on surveillance video attacking the crossing guard last Monday outside Walnut Street Elementary School. The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. as students were leaving the school, as reported by WPVI-TV.
Detectives stated that Russell was driving recklessly while helping a child cross the street. After being ordered to stop, he parked his car, chased the crossing guard, and punched her, rendering her unconscious, then fled the scene.
Derby Police Chief Joe Gabe mentioned that the suspect might have been frustrated about waiting in traffic, indicating that “he may have been angry that she had to wait there to get the kids off the school bus.” Witnesses reported that Russell shouted profanities during his erratic driving and continued verbally attacking the guard before the physical assault.
While WPVI and other news sources reported Russell as 29 years old, local officials have stated he is actually 27. On Wednesday, Philadelphia police seized Russell’s 2009 gold Nissan Altima. Records show that two women were in the car, though not Russell himself.
A witness reported that Russell had made his way to South Carolina, leading authorities to investigate family connections in Darlington, a town over 830 miles from Derby.
As of Monday morning, Russell remained in Florence County Jail, pending extradition back to Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Senator Anthony Williams (D) has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Authorities reported that the crossing guard is recuperating from both physical and psychological injuries but chose to resign from her position at the railroad crossing, opting for anonymity.
