NEW HARTFORD, NY — A Utica man was arrested following a disturbance at a Walmart and subsequent vehicle pursuit Friday afternoon.
New Hartford Police Officers responded to the Walmart on Commercial Drive at approximately 12:30 p.m. on March 6, 2026.
Reports indicated a male suspect was chasing another male through the store while wielding a baseball bat.
Officers obtained a description of the suspect’s vehicle, a black Dodge Charger, and located it nearby.
The suspect, identified as Ramel Poole, 29, of Utica, had approached a victim inside the store.
Poole exhibited verbally aggressive behavior and threatened the victim with a baseball bat, according to police.
Poole continued to approach the victim, prompting the victim to brandish a knife in self-defense.
Others at the scene, including the victim, were uncooperative with police officers.
Poole was arrested after a brief vehicle pursuit with responding officers.
He was charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor; disorderly conduct; unlawfully fleeing police in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor; and seven vehicle and traffic law violations including misdemeanor traffic law charges stemming from the pursuit.
