A homeless man has been charged with a number of felonies after two separate arrests in Watkins Glen.
The first arrest occurred on Halloween when Watkins Glen Police responded to a village business for a trespass complaint. Officers say 25-year-old Jairo Garcia-Hernandez immediately became non-compliant with them and displayed what appeared to be a sheriff’s deputy’s badge. Garcia-Hernandez told officers he was a deputy and gave a false name. After being placed under arrest, Garcia-Hernandez was found to be in illegal possession of a Sig Sauer model 365 nine-millimeter handgun. He also had an electronic stun gun and over $5,000 in cash. After his arraignment, Garcia Hernandez was released under Bail Reform law.
One week later, while out on routine night patrol, a Watkins Glen Police Officer found Garcia-Hernandez with a shopping cart belonging to a local business that he did not have permission to have. Once again, the suspect allegedly resisted arrest before being taken into custody. Following his Tuesday morning arrest, Garcia-Hernandez was turned over to the Rochester Police Department after it was determined they had a warrant out for his arrest.
In Watkins Glen, Garcia-Hernandez is charged with trespass, impersonating an officer, and criminal possession of a firearm, all felonies, along with a half-dozen misdemeanors. He is also a suspect in several other criminal cases in the village and further charges are pending.
