Three men arrested after handgun threat at Utica convenience store leads to weapon seizure
UTICA, NY – A late-night confrontation inside a Utica convenience store involving a handgun led to the arrest of three men early Friday after police tracked the suspects using surveillance and license plate recognition technology.
Around 12:30 a.m. on December 5, Utica Police officers responded to the 1400 block of Whitesboro Street for a report of menacing with a handgun. Upon arrival, the store clerk told officers that three individuals had entered the business, one of them openly displaying a firearm while engaging him in a tense conversation that left him fearing for his safety.
The men quickly left the store, prompting the clerk to immediately contact police. Officers launched an investigation using city-owned surveillance cameras and FLOCK license plate reader technology to develop a suspect vehicle description. A “be on the lookout” alert was issued and a patrol unit soon located and stopped the vehicle.
Upon stopping the car, officers observed that the occupants matched the suspect descriptions. They also saw multiple open alcoholic beverage containers inside the vehicle. A search was conducted, during which officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun. The weapon matched the description given by the victim and was found to be equipped with a high-capacity magazine.
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All three men were taken into custody and transported to the Utica Police Department. Following further investigation, charges were filed against the suspects, identified as Abdullahi Omar, 23; Muhidin Mukoma, 22; and Abdifatah Musa, 22—all residents of Utica.
Charges are as follows:
Abdullahi Omar
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (high capacity magazine)
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (previous conviction)
- Criminal Possession of a Firearm
Muhidin Mukoma
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (high capacity magazine)
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (previous conviction)
- Criminal Possession of a Firearm
Abdifatah Musa
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- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (high capacity magazine)
- Criminal Possession of a Firearm
- Menacing 2nd Degree
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