A Syracuse man has been arrested following a series of domestic-related incidents involving a hammer at a residence on North Street, according to the Auburn Police Department.
Police say the investigation began Monday after reports that Ishmael Thomas had sent threatening messages to a female victim, claiming he would come to her home to harm her and damage property. Officers were unable to locate Thomas at that time.
On Tuesday night, police were called to the same residence after a third-party caller reported hearing a dispute and children crying in the background. When officers arrived, they found Thomas inside the home with the victim and two children.
Authorities determined Thomas did not live at the residence and had allegedly entered without permission using a duplicated key. The victim told police that when she arrived home with her children, Thomas came out from inside the residence and lunged at her while swinging a hammer. He then allegedly threatened to strike her in the head if she did not go inside the home with him.
Thomas was charged with Burglary in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Menacing in the Second Degree, Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, and Attempted Assault in the Second Degree. He also faces two counts each of Aggravated Family Offense in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Police say the victim and children were not physically injured during the incident.
Thomas was processed at Auburn Police Department headquarters and transported to the Cayuga County Jail for centralized arraignment.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
