(Press release from Oneonta Police Dept.)

On Thursday September 15,at about 3:15 PM, the City of Oneonta Police Department responded to a reported purse-snatching on River Street at Gilbert Street. Information reported was that a male pushed a female victim to the ground, grabbed her purse, and fled in a southbound direction on Gilbert Street. Responding officers and detectives canvassed the area for the subject who was gone prior to their arrival. The victim, a 66 year old female was treated for injuries she received during this incident. The suspect was described as a white male, 5’5”-5’6” tall with a slim build and was reported to be wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt and tan cargo pants.

On Friday, September 16, 2016, pursuant to the investigation into the above

Joshua Johnston (Credit: Oneonta Police Dept.)
(Credit: Oneonta Police Dept.)
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incident, intelligence was developed leading detectives to the identity of the above described suspect.  The suspect who was identified as Joshua J. Johnston, 23 year old male, from Oneonta, NY was subsequently located and arrested at a residence on Burnside Avenue in the City of Oneonta.  In regards to the above incident, Mr. Johnston was charged with the following:

Robbery in the 2nd degree (Class C Felony)

Assault in the 3rd degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

Through further investigation, it was determined that Mr. Johnston was the perpetrator in three separate Grand Larceny incidents whereby various items were stolen from the inside of parked cars over the past month.  As a result he was also charged with:

Three or more counts of Grand Larceny in the 4th degree (Class E Felony)

Investigation further revealed that Mr. Johnston was responsible for the passing of two (2) counterfeit $20 bills at the Dunkin Donuts on Main Street in July and was therefore also charged with:

Two counts of criminal possession of forged instruments in the first degree
(Class C Felony)

Mr. Johnston was booked on the aforementioned charges and held in the Oneonta City lock-up pending arraignment, with a DA recommended bail of $15,000 cash/$30,000 surety for the robbery and assault charges and $5000 cash/ $10,000 surety for each additional charge.

*A class C Felony is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment, A class E Felony is punishable by up to 4 years imprisonment, and A Class A Misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment.

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