Watertown Man Charged in Cortlandville Standoff

A Watertown, New York man is charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon following a three-hour standoff with New York State Police at a home in Cortlandville over the weekend.

Troopers say at around 6 p.m. August 3, they were called to a home on Hillcrest Drive for a report of a man threatening another man with a handgun during an argument.

The suspect was identified as 55 year old John Downes.

When the state police got on the scene, the occupants of the home had gotten out, leaving Downes inside.

Initial attempts by troopers to talk to Downes were unsuccessful, but after about 3 hours, he came out of the home and was taken into custody without further incident.

There were no injuries.