It was around 4 o’clock Friday afternoon when the City of Cortland Police Department say they were alerted to an individual at 64 Owego Street threatening someone with a homemade gun.
The suspect in question was identified as Adam A. Tortorice of Cortland, who also had warrants out for his arrest by the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Parole. State Parole made an attempt to arrest Tortorice, but he fled into a bedroom of the residence and barricaded himself in there.
Police were able to then establish communication with Tortorice. It was then he cut a hole in the ceiling of the bedroom and climbed through a crawl space between the first and second floors. Tortorice would eventually fall through the crawl space into an adjacent apartment.
He was taken into custody by officers with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office K9 unit around 8:15pm. During the incident, officers used tactical specialized less lethal weapons, and thermal imaging. Officers also found the homemade handgun during a search of the residence.
Adam A. Tortorice was charged with Burglary in the 2nd, a Felony, Criminal Mischief in the 4th, Obstruction of Governmental Administration and Resisting Arrest, all Misdemeanors. No charges were given in regards to the threatening of a weapon as no witnesses came forward to police.
Tortorice is due to reappear in City of Cortland Court next week. Currently, he is under the supervision of NYS Parole and his warrants from the Sheriff’s Office and NYS Parole have been served.
No injuries occurred during the situation.
