UTICA — Utica Police units were dispatched to the 200 block of Bleecker St. regarding a menacing complaint at approximately 2:40 a.m. Aug. 2.
Officers were informed that an individual had pointed a handgun at another party during a dispute.
Further information about the suspect’s description was provided, and as officers arrived on scene they witnessed an individual matching the suspect description.
The officers attempted to stop the party, however he entered a nearby business and quickly entered a vacant room of the business.
Within moments the party came out of the room and was detained by the officers.
It was learned that the suspect had no permission or reason to be inside the business, and consent was obtained to search the area that the individual was witnessed entering.
While doing so a loaded 9mm handgun matching the description of the one the victim was threatened with was located inside the room.
After obtaining the entirety of the facts from the victim, the suspect, Michael Nowak age 22 of Utica, was transported to the Utica Police Department and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and criminal possession of a firearm.
Additional charges are likely as the handgun was learned to be stolen from Montgomery County.
