UTICA, NY – A Utica man has been charged for robbery and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child after an argument he had inside a vehicle with a woman escalated.
Police said at approximately 11:00 PM on Tuesday, police were dispatched to a residence on South St regarding an argument that had taken place while inside a vehicle en route to Utica.
“The victim stated that while she was driving in her vehicle with several of her children, a male passenger began to engage in an argument with her,” police said. “As the argument ensued the male began to spit on the victim, and ultimately punched her with a closed fist in the face. This caused her to swerve the vehicle and caused her children to become extremely fearful and cry.”
Police said the male then grabbed the victim’s phone from her hand and threw it out the window. He then grabbed her purse, removed several hundred dollars, and then also threw the purse from the window.
“Once at the residence the female was able to remove herself and children from the male and contact 911,” police said. “As the officers arrived, they located the suspect, Antonio Lawrence age 41 of Utica and take him into custody without incident. He was then transported to the Utica Police Department and charged.