UTICA, N.Y. (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) – The Utica Police Department is reporting that a man has been arrested for breaking and entering a home, destroying property and then threatening witnesses with a knife.
Around 8:30am on September 22nd, UPD received a call about a robbery that was taking place at a residence on the 1400 block of Conkling Avenue in Utica. When units arrived at the scene, the victim informed Officers that he was inside his home when a man suddenly pushed his air conditioner through the window and then entered.
Once inside, the man who would later be identified as 20-year-old Yasir Hamid of Utica began destroying the victim’s property. Thankfully, the homeowner was able to run away and exit the house before any physical harm came to him. The victim then told police that he witnessed Hamid jump back outside through the window and start throwing rocks and bricks back inside his home.
It was at this point that Hamid was confronted by bystanders on the street when he took out a knife and started to threaten all of them. These threats lasted for several minutes before he fled the scene completely.
Fortunately, more members of the UPD located him nearby while they were responding to the crime and were able to detain him without incident.
20-year-old Yasir Hamid of Utica has been arrested and charged with the following:
- Burglary in the Second Degree
- Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree
Investigators say that additional charges may be handed down after the totality of the damage caused has been assessed.