Police arrested a Seneca Falls man again this week after investigators linked him to two separate incidents earlier this month.
Seneca Falls police arrested Mekhi L. Russ, 24, on Jan. 27 following incidents reported on Jan. 21 and Jan. 27. Officers took him into custody without incident. He is currently held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility pending arraignment in the Seneca County Centralized Arraignment Part Court.
Police charged Russ with multiple misdemeanor and felony counts. Those charges include making a terrorist threat, aggravated harassment in the second degree, attempted assault in the second degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, and criminal contempt in the second degree.
The arrest marks the latest in a series of cases involving Russ over the past several weeks.
On Jan. 5, sheriff’s investigators arrested Russ while he was already incarcerated at the Seneca County Correctional Facility. Investigators said he allegedly broke a phone inside the jail, leading to a charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arraigned through Centralized Arraignment Court and is scheduled to appear in Town of Romulus Court at a later date.
That jail incident followed two earlier arrests tied to incidents in Seneca Falls in late December.
Seneca Falls police arrested Russ on Dec. 31 following a harassment investigation that began earlier that morning. Police said the case involved alleged threats posted on social media that referenced harm toward people attending the village’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. Investigators also said Russ allegedly attempted to intimidate a witness connected to a separate criminal matter.
In that case, police charged Russ with intimidating a victim or witness in the third degree and making a terroristic threat. Officers said at the time there was no credible threat to public safety related to the event, but police maintained a visible presence and continued monitoring the situation.
Just days earlier, police arrested Russ on Dec. 23 in connection with a burglary at Fall Street Brewing Company in downtown Seneca Falls. Investigators said someone unlawfully entered the brewery during the early morning hours following the “It’s a Wonderful Life” weekend celebration and stole several items.
Russ faces charges of third-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief, both Class D felonies, along with fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony, and a misdemeanor charge for possession of burglar’s tools.
Authorities continue to investigate the Seneca Falls cases. Police asked anyone with information to contact the Town of Seneca Falls Police Department.
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