JC Man Accused of Threatening Starbucks Customer with Hatchet

A coffee break turned nasty when a dispute erupted at a Starbucks shop near Binghamton involving a man who threatened to decapitate a customer with a hatchet.

Authorities said the trouble occurred at the Starbucks location at 904 Front Street in the town of Dickinson around 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

According to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, deputies determined 59-year-old Daniel Ackley of Johnson City had been following a truck he believed had tailgated his wife earlier in the morning.

Witnesses said as the truck driver placed an order at the drive-thru, Ackley pulled up next to the vehicle and started yelling at the driver for the alleged tailgating episode.

A "Welcome" sign at the entrance of the Starbucks shop in the town of Dickinson on November 16, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Ackley was reported to have threatened the other man with a hatchet. When the truck driver went to the Starbucks window to pick up his order, Ackley pulled up next to him "continuing to yell and threatening decapitation."

Starbucks workers advised the customer to enter the store to get away from Ackley. The truck driver pulled his vehicle into the parking lot and got out of it while holding a hammer.

Ackley then is said to have accelerated, striking the other man in the leg with his vehicle.

After interviewing witnesses, Ackley was arrested. He was charged with menacing and reckless endangerment. He was issued an appearance ticket for Dickinson town court.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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