Bowling Green man charged with stalking, arson

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Bowling Green man is facing multiple charges, including stalking, following reported vandalism and burglary in the area.

According to a uniform citation, the Kentucky State Police was made aware on Oct. 31 of vandalism and burglary that had occurred at the Warren County Health Department.

Troopers say they were told a female subject had been harassed by who was believed to be Timothy Russell, 40, of Bowling Green. The victim stated some of the information she received in messages contained details only her and Russell would know.

On July 7, troopers say they were told Russell was caught on surveillance at Hillvue Heights Church placing a note on the victim’s car. Additional surveillance from the Warren County Health Department from vandalism and a burglary showed a suspect wearing two different types of masks, troopers say.

Authorities say Russell was developed as a suspect in the vandalism and burglary since he was fired from his job recently at the Warren County Health Department.

Some of the vandalism involved spray painting the word “rat” or “rats,” authorities say. Troopers also say the victim stated someone had left a plastic rat on top of her car in September.

Other incidents also occurred at the Edmonson County Health Department, authorities say, including a subject wearing a similar mask leaving an explicit flyer on the door. Troopers say the subject was sitting in a black Honda Civic that was registered to Russell.

The citation states Russell had an EPO against him granted for the victim since July.

In October, several signs along the Louie B. Nunn parkway along exit 8 also had vandalism with similar language used during vandalism at the Warren County Health Department, authorities say.

An individual was also captured on Nov. 28 pouring what was believed to be flammable liquid on plants on the porch of the victim’s home, according to the citation. Troopers say a soil sample they gathered smelled like gasoline.

During this incident, authorities say this individual was also wearing a similar mask as the other vandalism incidents.

Russell was arrested on Dec. 5 and lodged in the Warren County Detention Center.

He is charged with first-degree stalking, third-degree arson, intimidating a participant in the legal process, two counts of violation of a Kentucky EPO/DVO, first-degree criminal mischief and third-degree burglary.