Troopers Arrest Man Who Used Bear Spray During Dispute

State Police say Troopers were dispatched to a residence on Winston Drive in the Town of Ithaca Tuesday morning, January 13th for a reported dispute. Police say an investigation found two individuals were having an ongoing dispute when the suspect, Arthur L. Stewart intentionally sprayed the victim in the face with bear spray.

State Police say the victim was sprayed with bear spray in a staircase between apartments. The bear spray Stewart used was also determined to be illegal to carry for self-defense. According to State Police, state regulations say canisters cannot be larger than .75 ounces and cannot contain more than .7% capsaicinoids.

Stewart was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Noxious Matter, a Misdemeanor. He was processed and later turned over to the Tompkins County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.