The Cobleskill Village Police are searching for a 24-year-old man who allegedly injured two officers and then fled last Monday afternoon.
Evan J. Cole, 24, of Cobleskill assaulted a police officer and may be staying with friends or family in Fulton or Montgomery county, said Sergeant Rich Bialkowski.
Mr. Cole is described as a white male, 5’10 to 5’11 and 160 to 170 pounds.
After receiving a complaint about an attempted assault on East Main Street at about 2:34pm last Monday, police arrested one man, but Mr. Cole fled after struggling with officers.
Police said they received a report from a 20-year-old man who said he was verbally threatened by two men.
The victim said the men threatened to assault him and that one of them displayed a knife at him in a threatening manner, police said.
Using his bicycle, the victim fled and then contacted police.
Officers responded to the area and located the victim in the area of Plaza Lane near the Price Chopper plaza.
While they were interviewing the victim, the suspects were seen walking in the area, police said. Officers approached the men and identified them as Andrew J. Hilts, 23, of Cobleskill, and Mr. Cole.
Police detained the two men and determined that an order of protection was in place against Mr. Hilts on behalf of the victim.
Police said Mr. Cole was found to be in possession of a knife and were able to confiscate it.
While taking the two men into custody, Mr. Cole physically resisted arrest and fled the area on foot, police said.
One officer suffered a fractured finger while attempting to handcuff Mr. Cole, and another suffered abrasions, contusions, and a pulled muscle while attempting to apprehend Mr. Cole, police said.
Police declined to identify the two officers, who were treated at Cobleskill Regional Hospital and released.
Mr. Cole fled the area, police said, and a search by the State Police, the Sheriff’s office and SUNY Cobleskill Police failed to locate him.
Sergeant Bialkowski said police don’t know how Mr. Cole might have gotten to Fulton or Montgomery counties.
Mr. Hilts was arrested by police and was charged with second-degree criminal contempt, a Class A misdemeanor. He was arraigned in village court and sent to jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond to return to court on June 14.
Police have outstanding arrest warrants for Mr. Cole on charges of second-degree assault, a Class D felony, resisting arrest, second-degree menacing, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration, all Class A misdemeanors.
Police have Mr. Cole’s picture on file from a prior arrest, said Sergeant Bialkowski.
The police agencies in Fulton and Montgomery counties have been contacted, Sergeant Bialkowski said, and a few locations have been checked with no success.
The Cobleskill Police are asking that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Cole should contact them at 234-2923. All information will be kept confidential.