Bumpy’s owner arrested
Private investigator alleges the embattled ice cream stand operator stabbed him with a pen.
The operator of Bumpy's Polar Freeze has been charged after he was accused of stabbing a private investigator in the neck with a pen.
Ron Hilton told the Times Union in an email that David Elmendorf stabbed him multiple times outside Elmendorf's city home Friday. Hilton discussed the alleged incident with the Daily Gazette, telling the newspaper the incident happened after he arrived at Elmendorf's home to serve him legal papers. Hilton wrote to the Times Union that he couldn't comment further until he spoke with his attorney.
Elmendorf was taken into custody and charged with second-degree assault, the Gazette reported. Schenectady police told the newspaper there were four active warrants for Elmendorf's arrest for charges including harassment, obstruction of governmental administration, menacing and a violation of public health laws.
According to jail records posted online, Elmendorf was released from police custody Saturday after a court appearance.
Bumpy's came under fire this summer for health violations amid the coronavirus pandemic, as well as allegations of racism.
Elmendorf was already facing criminal charges for allegedly pointing a pellet gun at a man and a woman who were part of a protest outside Bumpy's after alleged racist text messages attributed to Elmendorf were made public.
The text used a racial slur to refer to an employee and professed that the person who wrote it doesn't hire Black people.
Elmendorf was also charged June 18 with obstructing governmental administration and harassment for removing and crumpling notices posted by the county Health Department ordering that his State Street ice cream stand close immediately because it didn't have a valid permit.
Elmendorf was also accused of getting within two feet of an inspector and threatening to harm her if she didn't get off his property, according to court papers.
Schenectady County Attorney Chris Gardner also cited the businessman for not ensuring employees on the job wear face masks at all times, not having tables in the outside sitting area six feet apart and not clearly marking the six-foot physical distancing in the area where customers order, pick up their food and use the restrooms.