UTICA, NY – A Utica woman was arrested after she became violent and started beating an Upstate Wireless Store employee because her phone service was not functioning properly.
According to police, on Friday at approximately 7:40 PM officers were dispatched to Upstate Wireless on the 1000 block of Court St regarding an assault investigation.
“Upon arrival, they spoke with the victim, a store employee, who stated that a female whom she was familiar with entered the store and began to engage her in an argument about the functioning of her phone,” the Utica Police Department reported. “When the victim explained that another party had to help her with the item, the female became enraged and began to attack the victim. As the victim attempted to contact 911, the suspect and another party removed the phone from her hand and continued to strike her in the head and body.”
Police said the attack continued as the suspects began to knee her and strike her in the head repeatedly. Following the assault, the suspects began to take items from the store and fled the scene.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The following day, the adult suspect, Catherine Turnage age 43 of Utica, was located and charged with robbery, assault criminal mischief, and endangering the welfare of a child.
The second suspect is a 14-year-old male and will be charged accordingly by an investigator with the Juvenile Aid Division. His identity will not be released, police said.