DELHI, NY — A 52-year-old man faces multiple charges including a hate crime after allegedly threatening people with weapons on Main Street over a two-day period.
Russell A. Degroat, of Delhi, was arrested April 23 and charged with three counts of menacing in the second degree and one count of menacing in the second degree as a hate crime, according to the Delhi Village Police Department.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred on the evening of April 22 and the morning of April 23.
Police allege that on the evening of April 22, Degroat threatened to shoot two individuals who were walking with a group on Main Street while using derogatory racial language.
During that incident, Degroat allegedly displayed a knife toward the individuals before engaging in a physical confrontation with another bystander and fleeing the scene.
Based on statements attributed to Degroat, police said there is probable cause to believe the victims were intentionally targeted based on their race.
In a separate incident during the morning hours of April 23, Degroat is accused of approaching two individuals on Main Street, stating he was looking for the group from the previous night.
During that encounter, Degroat allegedly displayed a knife and a handgun concealed in his waistband and made statements indicating prior involvement in serious violent conduct.
Degroat was not previously known to the victims or witnesses, police said.
He was identified through the use of village street camera footage and a neighborhood canvas.
Degroat was taken into custody during the evening of April 23, processed on the charges and remanded to the Delaware County Jail pending arraignment in Delaware County Centralized Arraignment Part Court.
Temporary orders of protection have been requested on behalf of all victims.
