Man Accused Of Brandishing Gun, Assault In Aptos

APTOS, CA — A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple offenses in Aptos on Wednesday after he allegedly assaulted another man and brandished a gun, Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputies reported. Two men were waiting for food distribution at about 3:20 p.m. outside Twin Lakes Church at 2701 Cabrillo College Drive when a fight broke, according to deputies.

The suspect, Charles Russell, allegedly pushed the victim against a wall and threatened to kill him before retrieving a gun from his vehicle's trunk and pointing it into the air. Deputies said Russell then got into his car and drove away from the area, which is near the campus of Twin Lakes Christian School and Cabrillo College.

Deputies responding to the scene quickly located Russell's car in the 8000 block of Soquel Drive. Deputies said they found an unloaded .40 caliber handgun in the car. Russell was arrested on suspicion of possessing a gun near a school campus, brandishing a firearm, battery, threats and using a firearm in commission of a felony. Bail was set at $60,000.

After Russell's arrest, deputies said he became "assaultive" toward officers inside the jail. They said police used pepper spray to subdue him and no one was injured. Deputies did not release any information regarding the events that led up to the alleged violent behavior.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch