BATAVIA/Arrest made in Walnut Street standoff

The City of Batavia Police Department arrested Anthony Armstrong Jr., 34, of Rochester, NY, following an incident on Walnut Street on March 20, 2023 that began with a 911 hang-up call to the Genesee County 911 Center at approximately 5:08 PM.

Upon arrival of responding officers, it was discovered that Armstrong and a tenant in the apartment house located at 46 Walnut had gotten into an argument and that the tenant wanted Armstrong removed. While officers were interviewing the caller, Armstrong unlawfully entered another apartment in the apartment house, barricaded himself inside and held the tenant against their will. Armstrong was armed with a knife and made threats to harm himself as well as placing the victim in a position that placed them in fear for their safety. 

While inside, he damaged property and refused to allow the victim to call for help. The Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) were dispatched along with assistance from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol. The other tenants in the apartment had been evacuated and the immediate neighbors were advised to shelter in place. 

Officers attempted to negotiate with Armstrong without success.

Resources from the New York State Police along with the SWAT team from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office were requested. The victim was able to escape through an upstairs window and was assisted to safety by officers. Officers continued to attempt contact with Armstrong and made announcements via a PA system for him to surrender.

At approximately 10:05 PM officers were able to take Armstrong into custody, he was transported to a hospital for evaluation and released to the custody of the Batavia Police Department. Armstrong was charged with the following, processed, arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the custody of the Genesee County Jail; Burglary 1st – B Felony Unlawful Imprisonment 1st – E Felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd (prior conviction) – D Felony Menacing 2nd – A Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief 4th (3 counts) – A Misdemeanor The City of Batavia Police Department wishes to thank the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Genesee County 911 Center, Mercy EMS, City of Batavia Fire Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Genesee County Office of Emergency Management and Genesee County Mental Health for their assistance in helping to bring this situation to a safe resolution.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://crimewatch.net/us/ny/genesee/batavia-pd/138661/post/arrest-walnut-street-incident-march-20-2023