Man appears in court for stabbing as police warn public
(Tyler Murphy Photo)
NORWICH – A day after the Norwich Police Department released a warning to Norwich residents about a rise in local break-ins, a man charged with stabbing another after breaking into a victim’s car last weekend appeared in City of Norwich Court.
Gary L. Nichols Jr., 39, of Norwich, was charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, petit larceny, trespass, and first-degree escape.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges in Norwich City Court and his case is now heading to Chenango County Court.
First Assistant District Attorney James Snashall appeared in court and said he had no information about the victim’s condition or if the DA’s office would pursue more serious charges.
The stabbing allegedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning in the City of Norwich after Nichols was confronted while allegedly stealing from a parked car.
Yesterday as part of a public notice NPD Deputy Chief Scott Burlison advised the public, “Do not confront the person. It’s not worth engaging them; and if you’ve called 911, help is on the way.”
He said a rise in break-ins isn’t uncommon once the summer hits, and the majority of recent thefts have occurred at night in the southern part of the city. “Bring in your valuables from your vehicles, and keep your doors locked,” said Burlison.
According to police the stabbing occurred at about 2:15 a.m. Saturday on Plymouth Street in the City of Norwich, after the owner reported an ongoing theft from his parked Cadillac.
Police said one victim was stabbed approximately 10 times with a, “orange and camouflaged handle knife." The other victim was bitten in the arm.
Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said the two victims were hurt after attempting to stop Nichols from fleeing the area before police arrived.
According to police and the DA, the men attempted to stop the assailant as he fled and hold him at the scene as police were responding. During that time a physical confrontation occurred, resulting in one man being stabbed and another bitten
The stabbing victim was hospitalized. Nichols fled and was later arrested by police and taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital for treatment for injuries he sustained. Appearing in court Thursday Nichols had visible marks on his face. While at the hospital police said Nichols escaped and had to be relocated by police.
Police said he was found after approximately 25 minutes, and taken back into custody in the backyard of a residence on Cortland Street.
After police published an address for Nichols, family members of another man who lives at the same address contacted the Evening Sun to protest the location as Nichols’ residence. The woman said her family member lived there on assistance and not Nichols. She said Nichols likely had no permanent address of his own. A clarification on Nichols address was not received by press time.
Residents are reminded that if they hear or see anything suspicious in their neighborhoods during the overnight hours, contact the Norwich Police Department at 334-2424 so it can be investigated.
“Many homeowners have home security camera systems or motion area lighting covering the exterior of their homes,” said Burlison. “These types of security items are good deterrents to thefts like these.”
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Evening Sun Reporter Zachary Meseck contributed to this story
Gary L. Nichols Jr., 39, of Norwich, was charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, petit larceny, trespass, and first-degree escape.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges in Norwich City Court and his case is now heading to Chenango County Court.
First Assistant District Attorney James Snashall appeared in court and said he had no information about the victim’s condition or if the DA’s office would pursue more serious charges.
The stabbing allegedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning in the City of Norwich after Nichols was confronted while allegedly stealing from a parked car.
Yesterday as part of a public notice NPD Deputy Chief Scott Burlison advised the public, “Do not confront the person. It’s not worth engaging them; and if you’ve called 911, help is on the way.”
He said a rise in break-ins isn’t uncommon once the summer hits, and the majority of recent thefts have occurred at night in the southern part of the city. “Bring in your valuables from your vehicles, and keep your doors locked,” said Burlison.
According to police the stabbing occurred at about 2:15 a.m. Saturday on Plymouth Street in the City of Norwich, after the owner reported an ongoing theft from his parked Cadillac.
Police said one victim was stabbed approximately 10 times with a, “orange and camouflaged handle knife." The other victim was bitten in the arm.
Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said the two victims were hurt after attempting to stop Nichols from fleeing the area before police arrived.
According to police and the DA, the men attempted to stop the assailant as he fled and hold him at the scene as police were responding. During that time a physical confrontation occurred, resulting in one man being stabbed and another bitten
The stabbing victim was hospitalized. Nichols fled and was later arrested by police and taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital for treatment for injuries he sustained. Appearing in court Thursday Nichols had visible marks on his face. While at the hospital police said Nichols escaped and had to be relocated by police.
Police said he was found after approximately 25 minutes, and taken back into custody in the backyard of a residence on Cortland Street.
After police published an address for Nichols, family members of another man who lives at the same address contacted the Evening Sun to protest the location as Nichols’ residence. The woman said her family member lived there on assistance and not Nichols. She said Nichols likely had no permanent address of his own. A clarification on Nichols address was not received by press time.
Residents are reminded that if they hear or see anything suspicious in their neighborhoods during the overnight hours, contact the Norwich Police Department at 334-2424 so it can be investigated.
“Many homeowners have home security camera systems or motion area lighting covering the exterior of their homes,” said Burlison. “These types of security items are good deterrents to thefts like these.”
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Evening Sun Reporter Zachary Meseck contributed to this story
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