Police: Man hid in Halfmoon resident’s closet, threatened her with liquor bottle

Police: Man hid in Halfmoon resident’s closet, threatened her with liquor bottle

An Oneida County man allegedly hid in a Halfmoon homeowner’s closet and threatened her with a liquor bottle when discovered. John A. Rathbun, 26, of Verona, is also accused of preventing the homeowner from calling 911 by slapping the phone from her hand and stealing liquor from the residence, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.

An Oneida County man allegedly hid in a Halfmoon homeowner’s closet and threatened her with a liquor bottle when he was found.

John A. Rathbun, 26, of Verona, is also accused of preventing the homeowner from calling 911 by slapping the phone from her hand, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. He’s also accused of stealing liquor.

It happened around 1:50 Sunday afternoon, police said.

Sheriff’s deputies found Rathbun walking on Hudson River Road. He resisted arrest, investigators said.

Rathbun was charged with burglary, two counts of criminal mischief, along with petit larceny, resisting arrest and menacing. He was arraigned in Halfmoon Town Court and set to Saratoga County Jail.

Rathbun didn’t know the homeowner, police said.