SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A Schenectady man is headed to prison after admitting to brandishing a knife during a robbery. James Downing, 54, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in the first degree, which satisfied two other pending cases where he was charged with burglary and grand larceny.
On August 25, 2025, Downing entered Katie O’Byrnes Restaurant on Wall Street in the city of Schenectady. An employee was alone cleaning the kitchen when he saw Downing wearing a stocking over his face and brandishing a knife.
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Downing held the knife pointed toward the victim, made threats, and demanded money and access to the cash register. When the victim said he could not open the register, Downing demanded the employee empty his pockets and turn over his cigarettes.
Downing then left through the back door of the restaurant, taking the cigarettes and the knife he stole from the kitchen. He was arrested on December 13, 2025 on a warrant for the charges of robbery and possession of a weapon…