Knife wielding man arrested after robbing a Stewart’s

A Cohoes man has been arrested by Saratoga Springs Police after he tried to steal cigarettes from a Stewart’s and pulled a knife on responding officers.

Craig Valcik, 45 of Cohoes was arrested on Nov. 7 at 3 pm during a robbery attempt at the Stewart’s on Church Street in Saratoga Springs. Police said officers were in the parking lot at the time of the robbery and were alerted to the incident by a store employee. 

Once inside the shop, the officers attempted to take Valcik into custody, but he refused to comply. He then pulled out and knife and began to threaten officers. Ultimately after more commands were issued, Valcik dropped the weapon and surrendered without incident. 

Valcik was charged three felonies — first degree robbery, menacing a police officer, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was also charged with criminal possession of stolen property and criminal tampering.  

Valcik was arraigned and placed in custody at the Saratoga County Jail. He is set to appear in court on Nov. 13.