The District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges, including possession of a dirk or dagger, against a Carson man Thursday after he robbed a taxi driver of his cell phone last week on the 100 block of Pine Avenue, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officials said.

Officials said that on May 29 at about 8:45PM, police were dispatched to a strong arm robbery on Pine Avenue where 20-year-old Brandon Russell Junior had become upset after speaking to a taxi cab driver waiting on him for a fare. 

According to a press release, Russell Junior demanded the driver’s property and grabbed his cell phone, fleeing on foot. The taxi driver was not injured during the altercation.

During the investigation, detectives found Russell Junior had re-contacted the victim to try to sell his cell phone back to him, officials said.

On Tuesday, June 2, Russell Junior agreed to meet with the victim and was arrested by undercover detectives, the release stated.

Russell Junior was charged with one count of robbery and one count of possession of a dirk or dagger. He remains in Long Beach City Jail without bail.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Long Beach Police Robbery Detective Ben Vargas at 562.570.5538. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1.800.222.TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.