Police arrest machete-wielding man in Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Joel G. Torres, 28, of Amsterdam, was arrested following an investigation into a report of a man with a machete walking on Taft Place. Responding officers located Torres, who reportedly dropped the machete and tried to flee on foot.
According to the police, Torres was involved in a domestic disturbance before the arrest. During the domestic disturbance, Torres allegedly struck a victim in the face and placed his hands around the victim's neck.
He also allegedly threw a safe through a window of the residence, picked up a machete, and caused damage inside the residence.
Police say Torres had a controlled substance in his possession at the time of the arrest. Torres was charged with the following:
- Strangulation in the Second Degree
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree
- Aggravated Family Offense
- Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree
- Resisting Arrest
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree
- Two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child
- Harassment in the Second Degree
Torres was processed at the Amsterdam Police Headquarters. He is being held pending arraignment.