Two Men Arrested After Incident In Elmira

[TTL News 308]

Two men were arrested after a complaint that they were threatening people in the neighborhood with weapons. 

On Tuesday at approximately 6:48pm Elmira Police responded to the area of the 1000 block of N Main St for a report of a man threatening people with a firearm, while in the company of another male who was threatening people with a knife. Upon arrival, Elmira Police Officers located a male who matched the description of the suspect with the knife standing outside of a residence and he was taken into custody without incident.

Officers quickly were able to ascertain the identity of the other male who was reported to be in possession of the firearms. At this time, the second suspect was observed in an open window of the second floor of a residence in the area. Due to the weapons concerns, Elmira Police Officers closed traffic in the surrounding areas and were able to verbally contact the suspect, who ultimately surrendered to police after approximately after approximately forty minutes.
Elmira Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence and recovered multiple firearms and large quantities of ammunition.

The firearms described to responding officers that the suspect had pointed at neighbors, prompting the original call to police were among the firearms recovered.

As a result of the investigation, the Elmira Police Department has charged 45 year old Benjamin J Luisi of Elmira, with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, a Class C Felony.

Additionally, Elmira Police charged 33 year old David P Haynes of Elmira with Menacing in the 2nd degree, a class A Misdemeanor.

Both men were held at the Elmira Police Department pending arraignment in Elmira City Court today.

This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending related to this incident. The Elmira Police Department would like to thank the New York State Police, Chemung County Sheriffs Office and West Elmira Police Department for their assistance in this matter.