Utica man arrested for attempted assault with a large stick

Utica man arrested for attempted assault with a large stick

September 30, 2024

UTICA, N.Y. — On the morning of September 28, 2024, at approximately 8:25 a.m., Utica Police responded to a report of a man attempting to strike several people with a large stick on the 700 block of Court Street.

Upon arrival, officers interviewed witnesses who said the suspect, someone they were familiar with, had grabbed a large stick following an argument and attempted to strike another individual. The intended victim managed to avoid being hit but expressed fear for their safety due to the suspect’s actions.

The suspect, identified as Nicholas Vangorder, 30, with no known address, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Utica Police Department.

Following the investigation, Vangorder was charged with:

  • Menacing in the second degree
  • Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, due to a prior conviction.

He remains in police custody pending further legal proceedings.

Shore News Network

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.