Police announce weapons arrests
Since Dec. 1, 2019, the Utica Police Department has taken nine illegal handguns off of the city streets. Members of the Patrol Division, GIVE Unit and Special Investigations Unit have had a hand in undertaking these dangerous investigations and arrests.
Each officer and unit involved has done a tremendous job to make Utica a safer place for everyone to live and work. We commend their dedication and ethic to these ideals, and it is never more evident than in the incidents depicted below:
Dec. 1: Following a shots-fired investigation, GIVE Unit members charged Xavier Ross, 24, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.
Dec. 5: Following a Special Investigations Unit operation, Anton Frazier, 39, was charged with two counts each of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and various narcotics related felonies and misdemeanors.
Dec. 6: Following a Special Investigations Unit operation, Terrance Hines, 43, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and various narcotics related misdemeanors.
Dec. 7: Following a patrol call for service, GIVE Unit members charged Edward Romanowski, 71, with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and single charges each of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.
Dec. 8: Following a shots-fired investigation and vehicle and foot pursuits, patrol and GIVE Unit members charged Adrian Liggins, 20, with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.
Patrol officers working a JAG high-crime Hot Spot detail were in the area in question based on intelligence from the Mohawk Valley Crime Analysis Center and responded immediately within seconds, initiating the pursuit leading to the apprehension and weapons-possession arrest.
Dec. 9: Following a patrol call for service for a robbery investigation, GIVE Unit members and SIU members charged Shaquille Mayo, 26, with fourth-degree criminal possession weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and narcotics-related felonies.
Dec. 10: Following a patrol call for service for a robbery investigation, GIVE Unit members and SIU members charged Lorn Ferguson, 57, with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, second-degree harassment and narcotics related felonies.
Sunlit Terrace incident
On Dec. 3, 2019, Utica police units were dispatched to Sunlit Terrace regarding a domestic incident. As a result, fourth-degree criminal mischief charges were filed against Matthew Brooks, 33, of Utica, due to property damaged during the incident.
As Brooks was not scene at the time, a warrant for his arrest was issued through Utica City Court.
On Dec. 6, Utica police units returned to the Sunlit Terrace address for a welfare check and to attempt to execute the arrest warrant. Due to the welfare check, a large police presence was initiated; however, after determining that there was no threat either made by Brooks to himself or any other party, the presence was disbanded and police units left the scene.
On Dec. 9, Brooks turned himself into the Utica Police Department and was booked on his outstanding warrant. He will return to Utica City Court in the future.
Police investigating robberies, attempted robberies of taxis and food delivery drivers
Over the last several weeks, five robberies or attempted robberies of taxi cabs and food delivery drivers have occurred in various parts of the city.
The locations are:
Nov. 27, Waverly Place
Dec. 1, Jewett Place
Dec. 3, Churchill Avenue
Dec. 8, Brinckerhoff Avenue
Dec. 10, Jewett Place
The Utica Police Department is actively following up leads and speaking to involved parties and those in neighborhoods where the incidents occurred.
We ask anyone with information regarding these events to contact the Utica Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 315.223.3510.
We have also compiled the following list of tips for taxi and food-delivery drivers to help reduce the potential for larcenies and robberies specifically targeting restaurants and taxi services:
- Always confirm the customer’s phone number (with caller ID, if possible), and ask for a name (even if it’s just a first name).
- Never carry large amounts of cash.
- Never deliver to the rear or side of a premise. Do not enter a premise – insist the customer come out to receive their order. If it is a multi-unit dwelling, have the customer come to the front.
- Always stay in well-lighted areas when parking or existing your vehicle.
- Try to have the customer pay for the order before giving it to them.
- Be wary of counterfeit money; carry a counterfeit currency-detection pen.
- Never fight with or chase a thief. Call 911 immediately. Do not call your supervisor first to tell them what happened.
- Be mindful of the offender’s physical descriptors (race, hair and eye color, height, weight, clothing, etc.), last direction of travel and any vehicles used in the crime.
- Always be aware of your surroundings. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. If you do not feel safe, do not complete the transaction and return to business headquarters.
Report in-progress suspicious activity to the Utica Police Department at 315.735.3301, option 0. Anyone with information on active investigations may submit a 100-percent anonymous tip online through Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers at mohawkvalleycrimestoppers.com, by calling 866.730.8477 (TIPS) or by using the P3 Tips mobile app.