Police: Wyckoff Business Owner Threatened By Man Over $7,000 Debt

A New York man was charged with extortion after he allegedly threatened and attempted to collect a $7,000 debt from a business owner Thursday, police said.

Christopher Batis, 42, of Stormville, New York, arrived at a Main Street business to collect an alleged $7,000 debt that was owed to someone else, said Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox.

When Batis met with the owner and was not given the money, he reportedly told the owner that “this is not the way it works and you won’t like the next visit,” Fox said.

Batis had a piece of paper with the owner’s home address and the names of his wife, children, parents, sister, and his dog, police said.

Batis had a full-loaded .380-caliber handgun on him but did not show it to the business owner, Fox said.

Batis was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon while attempting to collect money and making threats, possession of a weapon with purpose to use it unlawfully, attempted theft by extorting and making threats, possession of marijuana, and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

Bail was set at $85,000. Batis was sent to the Bergen County Jail in default of bail.