Suspect with baseball bat accused of menacing, criminally possessing a weapon

ROME- Authorities say a suspect is accused of making threatening gestures towards officers.

It was shortly before midnight on Wednesday when Rome City Police patrols were patrolling the 100 block of West Dominick Street when they observed a subject holding a baseball bat.

This is when police reportedly exited their patrol cruiser and tried engaging with the person, however; it is reported that the suspect became irate and began waving the baseball bat in the air.

Before fleeing on foot, police said the suspect made threatening gestures while approaching them. After a brief foot pursuit, the suspect, identified as Erik T. Hastings, was taken into custody without incident.

Hastings was formally charged with menacing a police officer and criminally possessing a weapon in the third-degree.

At press time, authorities said that Hastings was processed and taken to the Oneida County Jail for arraignment.

Rome City Police Department image.