On April 9th 2024 at approximately 6:48pm Elmira Police Officers responded to the area of the 1000 block of N Main St for a report of a man threatening people with a firearm, while in the company of another male who was threatening people with a knife. Upon arrival, Elmira Police Officers located a male who matched the description of the suspect with the knife standing outside of a residence and he was taken into custody without incident. Officers quickly were able to ascertain the identity of the other male who was reported to be in possession of the firearms. At this time, the second suspect was observed in an open window of the second floor of a residence in the area. Due to the weapons concerns, Elmira Police Officers closed traffic in the surrounding areas and were able to verbally contact the suspect, who ultimately surrendered to police after approximately after approximately forty minutes.
Elmira Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence and recovered multiple firearms and large quantities of ammunition. The firearms described to responding officers that the suspect had pointed at neighbors, prompting the original call to police were among the firearms recovered.
As a result of the investigation, the Elmira Police Department has charged Benjamin J Luisi, a 45-year-old male from Elmira, with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, a Class C Felony.
Additionally, as a result of the investigation Elmira Police charged David P Haynes, a 33 year-old-male from Elmira, with Menacing in the 2nd degree, a class A Misdemeanor.
Both men were held at the Elmira Police Department pending arraignment in Elmira City Court on 04/10/2024.
This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending related to this incident. The Elmira Police Department would like to thank the New York State Police, Chemung County Sheriffs Office and West Elmira Police Department for their assistance in this matter.
Respectfully,
Sgt. Joseph Linehan