Police arrest machete-wielding man in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Joel G. Torres, 28, of Amsterdam, was arrested following an investigation into a report of a man with a machete walking on Taft Place. Responding officers located Torres, who reportedly dropped the machete and tried to flee on foot.

According to the police, Torres was involved in a domestic disturbance before the arrest. During the domestic disturbance, Torres allegedly struck a victim in the face and placed his hands around the victim's neck.

He also allegedly threw a safe through a window of the residence, picked up a machete, and caused damage inside the residence.

Police say Torres had a controlled substance in his possession at the time of the arrest. Torres was charged with the following:

• Strangulation in the Second Degree
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree
• Aggravated Family Offense
• Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree
• Resisting Arrest
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree
• Two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• Harassment in the Second Degree

Torres was processed at the Amsterdam Police Headquarters. He is being held pending arraignment.