Utica Man Tries Grabbing Officer's Gun During Arrest

On November 26th, 2021 at about 2:45 PM the New Hartford Police Department was dispatched to the Sangertown Square Mall for a reported larceny investigation. While units were in route it was relayed that the white male suspect was last seen running towards Hanford on Commercial Drive. Responding units immediately checked the area for the suspect and subsequently located Kody J. Wolak, 28 of Utica hiding behind a dumpster in the Hanford Plaza. When Officers approached Wolak he was ordered to show his hands and to stop but he refused to do so and attempted to flee, forcing Officers to attempt to physically restrain him. Wolak continued to physically resist Officers attempt to take him into custody. At one point during the altercation Wolak grabbed one of the Officers service weapons and attempted to remove it from the holster. Eventually Officers were able to gain control of Wolak and he was taken into custody by additional responding units. The investigation showed that Wolak stole merchandise from FYE and was in possession of stolen merchandise from Zumiez, both located inside of the mall. During the incident one Officer sustained a shoulder injury and was treated at the hospital and released.

Wolak has since been charged with the following criminal Charges:

Assault in the Second Degree (Class D Felony)

Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class D Felony)

Petit Larceny (Misdemeanor)

Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th (Misdemeanor)

Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor)

Obstructing Governmental Administration (Misdemeanor)

Wolak is currently being held on $5000.00 cash bail and will appear in court at a later date.