UTICA, NY — Three men were arrested early Friday after police responded to a report of a menacing incident at a convenience store.
Utica Police units were dispatched to the 1400 block of Whitesboro Street at approximately 12:30 a.m. regarding a menacing with a handgun investigation.
The victim, who was working at the convenience store, told police that three people entered the store, one holding a handgun, and began to engage him in conversation.
The victim stated their actions placed him in fear for his safety, and upon them leaving, he immediately contacted police.
Police obtained preliminary suspect information and viewed city-owned surveillance cameras and utilized FLOCK software technology to develop a suspect vehicle.
A BOLO was disseminated, and shortly after, a member of the Patrol Division located the vehicle and conducted a stop.
Upon interviewing the occupants, officers determined they matched the suspect descriptions and requested them to exit the vehicle.
As they were exiting, officers noticed multiple open alcoholic beverage containers, and a search was conducted of the vehicle.
During the search, a loaded 9mm handgun was located that matched the description of the weapon used in the menacing.
All three occupants were placed into custody and transported to the Utica Police Department.
Abdullahi Omar, 23, of Utica, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (high capacity magazine), criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (previous conviction) and criminal possession of a firearm.
Muhidin Mukoma, 22, of Utica, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (high capacity magazine), criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (previous conviction) and criminal possession of a firearm.
Abdifatah Musa, 22, of Utica, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (high capacity magazine), criminal possession of a firearm and menacing in the second degree.
