YPD calls attempted murder a ‘random attack,’ says community is safe

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. — A Yorktown police officer is earning praise for his quick, calm response that defused a potentially deadly encounter and led to the peaceful arrest of a knife-wielding suspect now charged with attempted murder.

Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman joined Chief of Police Robert Noble and his officers at Yorktown Police Headquarters on Tuesday for a press conference addressing community concerns after a local man allegedly stabbed a shopper at a busy Yorktown shopping center on Father’s Day morning (Sunday, June 15).

Police allege 26-year-old Jared Hunter Alongi carried out a random attack with a kitchen knife in the BJ’s parking lot. According to police, there's no known connection between Alongi and the victim, who has not been publicly identified.

Noble said the man was exiting one of the stores in the shopping center when Alongi approached him from behind. He then “grabbed the victim from behind and ran—what we believe, thankfully—was the back end of a knife across his neck, subsequently puncturing one side of the victim’s neck.”

Noble said the victim was “able to break free" and turn around. He later told police he saw a white male standing nearby holding a large kitchen knife.

Police said the victim had minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene. It's unclear if he sought treatment later.

“I’m sure that day was a traumatic incident for him," Noble said. “And thankfully, he lived to tell his tale.”

The victim was able to “create time and distance and quickly called the Yorktown Police Department,” Noble said. Meanwhile, Alongi fled on foot toward Route 202 (Crompond Road).

“Thankfully, that quick phone call enabled our desk officers to share this information with patrols who were in the area,” Noble said.

Timothy Curtin, a veteran police officer on the force, was the first officer to respond.

“He was close by and arrived at the scene quickly and was provided accurate information,” Noble explained, adding that “upon arriving, heading westbound on Route 202, [Curtin] immediately saw a suspect that fit the [perpetrator’s] description” near the Chase bank across Route 202 at 3394 Crompond Road.

In body-cam video shared with the media, Curtin can be heard telling the alleged attacker to let go of the knife and get on his stomach.

 “I'm not going to hurt you," Curtin said. "As long as you listen to what I'm telling you, I'm not going to hurt you.”

Seconds later, he had the alleged attacker in handcuffs.

Noble praised Curtin, calling the arrest “outstanding” police work.

“He gave clear and concise commands that we believe deescalated the situation,” Noble said, adding that Alongi “complied with [Curtin's] commands.”

Alongi was charged with second-degree attempted murder, a class B felony. Temporary orders of protection were issued for the victim and the witness.

Noble said the outcome could have been much worse and called the arrest a “textbook” example of police work.

“Thankfully, we didn’t have an officer involved shooting” on Father’s Day morning, Noble said, acknowledging that it “would have been one of our worst days here in the Yorktown community.”

According to Noble, Curtin's “smart thinking, relying on tactics, training, policy” helped the situation end the way that it did.

“At the end of the day, when you’re going to step out of a car alone and confront somebody holding a knife that is just alleged to have run it across somebody’s neck—that's a tough call for anybody," Noble said.

Noble shared the body-worn camera footage with the media in the room and said it exemplifies policing excellence.

“I stand before you a proud, proud chief of police,” Noble said. “You often see use of force videos, violence—it’s not easy to watch. But thankfully, this subject complied, and you saw how he was treated.”

Lachterman said he has worked with the police department for a decade and praised its professionalism.

“They’re so well-trained,” Lachterman said. “That is what it’s about. That’s what makes our community safe."

The attack happened just days after Yorktown was ranked among the safest communities in New York state.

Lachterman said this incident does not make Yorktown any less safe. As for Alongi, “He’ll have his day in court,” Noble said. "He gets to go home. Thankfully, Officer Curtin gets to go home to his family.”

Alongi was remanded to the Westchester County Jail and is scheduled to appear in Yorktown Justice Court this evening (June 17). It is unclear whether he has an attorney.