MONTECITO, Calif.
— A Nevada man was arrested Wednesday after violently assaulting a woman and barricading himself inside the Montecito residence of Ty Warner, the reclusive billionaire CEO of Beanie Babies, authorities said.
Russell Maxwell Phay, 43, was taken into custody on May 21 following a standoff with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. Deputies responded to a call around 4:31 p.m. regarding a possible vehicle theft or home invasion at a private residence in the 1000 block of Fairway Road.
Upon arrival, deputies found a severely injured woman outside the home. She was immediately transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Authorities then learned the suspect was still inside the residence, and it was initially unclear whether any other occupants remained.
Deputies established a perimeter with support from the California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara Police, and County Air Support while the Special Enforcement Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded with armored vehicles.
Suspect captured after attempting second-story escape
After confirming that all other individuals had safely exited the property, deputies located Phay barricaded in an upstairs bathroom. Despite attempts to negotiate, Phay attempted to flee by jumping out of a second-story window. He was apprehended on the ground by deputies and a Sheriff’s K9.
Phay, a combat veteran who had previously made threatening remarks about his military training, was booked into the Santa Barbara County Main Jail. He faces felony charges including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, battery causing serious bodily injury, kidnapping, and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction. His bail was set at $100,000.
