South Jordan police officer accused of kidnapping relative on Thanksgiving

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SALT LAKE CITY — A South Jordan police officer was arrested Friday and accused of kidnapping a relative on Thanksgiving, police said.

While attending a family dinner in Provo, the relative said they arranged to go for a ride with their nephew, Scott Elliott Russell, before dinner. During that drive, the relative said Russell refused to take the relative home as they drove south on I-15, according to a police affidavit written in support of Russell’s arrest.

Police did not disclose whether the relative was a man or a woman, or the person’s age.

Russell’s behavior “became more irrational and paranoid, at one point, taking the victim’s phone and disabling it,” police said.

The relative said Russell continued driving until, “for an unknown reason,” Russell took an exit and entered the Sevier River Estates neighborhood in Juab County. Russell then allegedly rolled the vehicle off an embankment at the river’s edge, police said.

When Russell and the relative got out of the vehicle, Russell allegedly told the relative to lay down on the ground and to take off their shoes and any personal belongings. The relative obeyed because they knew Russell had a gun in his possession, according to the affidavit.

Russell then discarded his gun and ammunition over a fence into sagebrush, police said. The two then walked to an abandoned outbuilding for shelter, the affidavit states.

After Russell walked to another outbuilding and told the relative to stay in the first building, the relative eventually “felt safe enough” to walk toward I-15 for help, according to the affidavit. The relative was picked up by a driver and later taken to a hospital by a family member, police said.

When Russell was later interviewed by police, police say “it was hard to follow (Russell’s) recollection of events.”

Russell told police “he had been set up, and believed he was actively being watched by an unknown organization.” Russell also “claimed ownership of the firearm, and claimed he’d discarded it due to a safety concern,” according to the affidavit.

Police said Russell also said he believed they “were being watched by individuals, and wanted these individuals to see him openly discard the firearm, so they knew he didn’t pose a threat,” according to the affidavit.

Russell denied taking the relative’s phone, police said.

Russell was arrested for investigation of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, criminal trespass, burglary, reckless endangerment and interruption/interference of a communications device.

South Jordan police confirmed Russell was placed on leave early Friday morning when the department was made aware of the investigation.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2VfGnaa