Police: Man Threatened To Shoot Customers at a Hudson Valley Mall

A Middletown man was charged after he allegedly said he was going to shoot customers walking in the parking lot of the Galleria at Crystal Run mall.

New York State Police claim Jeffery W. Baker, approached staff and residents of a group home in the mall parking lot. According to the Times Herald Record, the 21-year old had one hand behind his back and near his waistband as he told the group he had a pistol and was going to shoot them.

The group ran to their car and called police. Baker continued to threaten the group from outside the vehicle. It’s believed Baker has no connection with the people or the group home. The vehicle was able to leave the mall without incident.

Police state that before they arrived on the scene, Baker confronted two women inside Sears and threatened to shoot them.

Troopers were able to find and arrest Baker inside the mall. He was not armed at the time of his arrest and police did not find any firearms inside or outside of the mall.

Baker was charged with third-degree menacing, a misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a violation. He was sent to Orange County Jail with a cash bail set for $2,500.