Police Arrest

Purse Snatcher

Oneonta Man Charged With Robbery,

Assault, Larceny and Counterfeit

ONEONTA – A day after a 66 year old woman was pushed to the ground and her purse stolen on River Street, Oneonta Police have arrested and charged an Oneonta man with the crime, as well as several crimes dating back to July.

Joshua J. Johnston, 23, Oneonta, was arrested after police located him at a residence on Burnside Avenue.  He was charged with Robbery in the second degree, a Class C Felony and Assault in the third degree, a 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 fourth degree, a Class E Felony.

And when the investigation further revealed that Mr. Johnston was responsible for the passing of two counterfeit $20 bills at the Dunkin Donuts on Main Street in July, he was charged with two counts of criminal possession of forged instruments in the first degree, a 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.

If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 58 years incarceration.