UTICA — A 21-year-old Utica man was arrested Wednesday morning after an overnight standoff with police that began when he allegedly threatened a maintenance worker with what appeared to be a long gun.
Police responded to 1013 West St. at approximately 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a complaint about a man menacing someone with a weapon.
The victim, a contractor for the apartment complex, told officers he had asked a tenant to turn down his music when the tenant began shouting racial slurs before retreating inside his apartment.
Moments later, the tenant emerged holding what appeared to be a long gun across his chest and turned toward the victim, who fled the area and called 911.
Responding officers surrounded the apartment and attempted to make contact with the suspect, who refused to communicate but was observed walking past a window still holding the weapon.
METRO SWAT was called to the scene as the standoff continued through the night.
Officers deployed CS gas and other less lethal options in attempts to end the situation, while Oneida County Sheriff’s Office drone operators provided surveillance of the suspect’s movements inside the apartment.
Around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, the suspect, identified as Michael Fratangelo, exited his apartment and was taken into custody without incident.
A search warrant executed at the apartment revealed two dark-colored BB guns inside.
Fratangelo was transported to Wynn Hospital for evaluation, which is standard procedure following the use of less lethal force.
Upon his release, he will face charges of second-degree menacing and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon due to a previous conviction.
