UTICA — A 52-year-old man has been charged with assault and weapon possession after allegedly stabbing a victim who refused to give him cigarettes and money outside an apartment complex.
Utica police responded to Wynn Hospital at approximately 5:50 a.m. July 17 regarding a walk-in stabbing victim.
The victim told police he was waiting to pick up his co-worker in front of Kennedy Plaza Apartments when a man approached him asking for cigarettes and money.
When the victim declined, the suspect became aggressive and a physical altercation began.
During the fight, the victim said the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest before fleeing.
The victim sought medical attention for non-life threatening injuries.
The Utica Police Department Criminal Investigations Division investigated the case.
Israel Crespo, 52, was charged July 19 with assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.
