Syracuse Man Arrested After Robbery and Rooftop Chase in Utica

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Utica, NY — On Sunday, June 8, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Utica Police responded to the intersection of Blandina Street and Albany Street for a reported robbery.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with a victim who reported that an acquaintance approached him asking for money. When the victim refused, the suspect allegedly grabbed a gold chain from around his neck, forcibly removed it, and fled the scene.

While officers were searching for the suspect, a nearby homeowner contacted police to report a man hiding in their yard. The individual matched the suspect’s description, prompting officers to respond immediately.

Soon after, officers spotted the suspect, who fled on foot. During the chase, police observed him climbing a ladder and accessing the rooftop of a commercial building in the 900 block of South Street. After a period of time, the suspect came down from the rooftop and was taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Justin Stevens of Syracuse. He has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree.