04/24/2026
PRESS RELEASE
RUSSELL A. DEGROAT
04/23/2026
The Delhi Village Police Department reports the arrest of a 52-year-old male, identified as Russell A. Degroat of Delhi, in connection with multiple incidents that occurred on Main Street in the Village of Delhi.
Degroat has been charged with three counts of Menacing in the Second Degree (New York State Penal Law §120.14), Class A misdemeanors, and one count of Menacing in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime (New York State Penal Law §§120.14/485.05), a Class E felony.
The charges stem from incidents occurring during the evening of April 22, 2026, and the morning of April 23, 2026.
It is alleged that on the evening of April 22, Degroat threatened to shoot two individuals who were walking with a group on Main Street, while using derogatory racial language. During the incident, Degroat allegedly displayed a knife toward the individuals, before engaging in a physical confrontation with another bystander and fleeing the scene.
Based on statements attributed to Degroat , there is probable cause to believe that the victims were intentionally targeted based on their race.
In a separate incident during the morning hours of April 23, Degroat is further accused of approaching two individuals on Main Street, stating that he was looking for the group from the previous night. During this encounter, Degroat allegedly displayed a knife and a handgun concealed in his waistband, and made statements indicating prior involvement in serious violent conduct.
Degroat was not previously known to the victims or witnesses. He was identified by police through the use of Village street camera footage and a neighborhood canvas.
Degroat was taken into custody during the evening of April 23, 2026, processed on the charges, and remanded to the Delaware County Jail pending arraignment in Delaware County Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP) Court.
Temporary Orders of Protection have been requested on behalf of all victims.
Michael T. Mills
Chief of Police 2