Utica, New York



From the Utica Observer-Dispatch of February 16, 2004:

Attempted home invasion followed by scuffle, police say



Two Utica men were charged Sunday morning in connection with an attempted home invasion on Cosby Manor Road, state police at East Herkimer said.



A man who was asleep at his home at the time was also charged after police said he woke up, found a gun and fired it at the intruder, police said.



The two Utica men accused of attempted burglary are Antonio S. Hallam, 21, of Mary Street, and Joshua I. Brooks, 18, of Elm Street.



A motive has not been determined, Investigator Michael Dolly said.



Hallam was charged with first-degree attempted burglary, a felony, and second-degree criminal use of a firearm, a felony. He was sent to the Herkimer County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, Dolly said.



Brooks was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said. He was sent to county jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, Dolly said.



Matthew Roman, 22, of Cosby Manor Road, Utica, was sleeping when the two men tried to enter his residence. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor, police said. He was released and will appear in Schuyler court, Dolly said.



Roman awoke as Hallam, who had a loaded handgun, tried to enter the home, police said. Roman found a handgun and fired it at Hallam, who tried to flee, police said. Hallam was not hit.



Roman followed Hallam outside, police said. Brooks, a passenger in Hallam's vehicle, left the car with a handgun and gave it to Hallam, police said. Roman and Hallam then began to fight. Roman gained control of the handgun and struck Hallam with it, police said.