Victim beat with metal cane in Central NY robbery, two men charged

Auburn, N.Y. — Two roommates robbed a person visiting their apartment Sunday at gunpoint, then beat the victim with a metal cane, police said.

Around 2:30 p.m., Darryl Jones, a resident of the upper apartment at 10 Orchard St., approached the visitor from behind, placed a gun to their head and demanded property from them, according to a news release Monday from the Auburn Police Department.

Police said the person gave Jones a cell phone and $60 in cash. Jones’ roommate, Michael Barski, placed the person in a headlock while Jones repeatedly beat them with a metal cane, police said.

The person eventually got away from the apartment and called 911, police said.

When officers arrived, they found the victim who told police they were visiting people in the Orchard Street apartment when they were robbed, police said. Around 4 p.m., officers ordered residents in the area to shelter in place due to a firearm being involved in the incident, they said.

In the apartment, officers found multiple people inside, police said. Officers obtained a search warrant for the apartment and found a loaded Smith and Wesson .357 revolver and a metal cane, they said.

Jones was charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of weapon. Barski was charged with second-degree assault.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at [email protected]