Amsterdam man gets up to 11 years in prison for robbing two ice cream shops

An Amsterdam man was sentenced Friday to up to 11 years in prison for robbing two Saratoga County ice cream shops.

Daniel P. McKay, 41, had previously admitted that on Sept. 3, he entered both the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop in downtown Saratoga Springs and the Stewart’s Shops in Malta just off the Northway. McKay implied he had a weapon and demanded cash from the register, the Saratoga County District Attorneys’ Office said. McKay did not actually have a weapon. 

McKay was identified by eyewitnesses and tracked down by police. He had the stolen money on his person.

McKay pleaded guilty in January to third-degree robbery and grand larceny. He received the maximum sentence on each count, which will be served consecutively.

In addition, the judge issued orders of protection preventing McKay from having any contact with employees from either store.