UTICA, NY – the Utica Police Department reported that a man armed with a knife had threatened employees who confronted him as he was attempting to leave the store with items he had previously shoplifted.
On Tuesday, at approximately 1:00 PM Utica Police units were dispatched to the Family Dollar located at the 1700 block of Genesee St regarding a party armed with a knife that had threatened staff.
“Upon arrival the officers located the victim who stated that as he was attempting to stop a male from exiting the store with stolen merchandise, the male brandished a knife and threatened him. The male then left the store and a description was provided to the officers,” the Utica Police Department said in a statement. “An officer with the Patrol Division located the male a short distance away and he was detained pending the investigation. The officer was further informed that the male still possessed the knife, and this was ultimately removed from the party without incident.”
According to the police, as the officers learned the circumstances of the incident, they determined that the appropriate crime committed would be that of Robbery in the first degree, and as such the investigation was turned over to the Criminal Investigations Division.
Joseph Fields age 54 of Utica, was charged with Robbery in the first degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the fourth degree.
