Brooklyn man charged with slashing woman
WATERVLIET, N.Y. » Watervliet Police Department responded to an assault within the confines of the Van Rensselaer Village public housing complex.
Police said they found a 37-year- old female victim with a deep laceration to her face. The victim was treated and transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment for her wound.
Through investigation officers quickly determined the suspect’s identity and determined that he had fled the scene on foot. With assistance from the Green Island Police Department, a canvass of the area resulted in officers locating and arresting the suspect, identified as Richard Burton, 43, of Brooklyn.
According to police, based off of witness and victim information, Burton and another identified male were involved in an argument. Police say the 37-year- old female victim attempted to break up the argument when Burton produced a knife and slashed the female victim across her face causing serious physical injury.
Burton was charged with first- degree assault, third- degree criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and firstdegree reckless endangerment. He was arraigned before the Hon. Judge Thomas Lamb in Watervliet City Court and sent to Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.
“We believe this was an isolated incident between individuals that knew each other. With our partners in the Green Island Police Department and the Watervliet Fire Department, we were able to quickly arrest the suspect and provide quality prehospital care to the victim,” Watervliet Police Chief Anthony Geraci said.
“Albeit we never want something like this to happen to our citizens, we were pleased that we were able to immediately hold the suspect accountable for his actions.”
At this time, the Watervliet Police Department is not looking for additional suspects. Witnesses are encouraged to contact the Watervliet Police Criminal Investigations Unit at (518) 270-3833.