ITHACA, N.Y.—Ithaca Police said on Wednesday that they had arrested one man after a tense scene at the Dandy Mini Mart on West Buffalo Street in Ithaca.
Donald Little, 28, of Cortland, is facing charges of menacing a police officer and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Police said the incident began around 12:15 in the afternoon when they were called to the Dandy for a customer who was upset “because he felt mistreated” by the staff, police said.
The police’s narrative becomes a bit fuzzy after that. IPD said that another party had become involved in the initial confrontation between the customer and the staff—Little was the other party. Little was instructed to remain in his car with his friends, but Little didn’t comply.
“[Little] decided to address the officer and express his displeasure about the initial dispute,” police claimed. “Little continued to yell at the initial suspect and the officer, he then aggressively opened a folding knife near the officer.”
The press release states the responding officer then drew his weapon and ordered Little to drop the knife, which he did, and was then arrested.
Little was remanded to the Tompkins County Jail by Honorable Judge Seth Peacock in lieu of $1,000 cash bail.