On the evening of March 19, 2026, around 8:35 PM, officers from the Schenectady County Street Crimes Task Force attempted to stop three individuals near State Street and Chestnut Street. Two were found carrying illegal handguns and were arrested. The third person fled but was later located by the department’s Drone Unit hiding in a backyard on Catherine Street. He was also found with an illegal handgun and taken into custody.
The individuals, all 18 years old and from Schenectady, were identified as Jerome W. Smalls, Genito R. Acosta, and Eeian M. Patterson, each charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony. Chief Brian J. Whipple commended the officers for their professionalism and teamwork in safely resolving the situation and removing three illegal firearms from the community…