'Less-Than-Lethal' Force Used To Subdue Man With 2 Knives: PD

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A man who threatened police with two knives was subdued with "less-than-lethal" force Wednesday night in Hampton Bays, police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, a call came in at 10:26 p.m. regarding a physical altercation at a home in Hampton Bays. When officers responded, the man ran into his residence and exited holding two knives, police said.

He approached a New York State trooper in a "threatening manner with knives" and then fled, police said.

Officers secured a perimeter of the area and conducted a search, locating Eric Criollo, 19, nearby, police said. Officers used "less than lethal" methods, including pepper spray and a projectile designed not to cause death, to subdue him, police said.

Criollo was taken to Southampton Town Police headquarters and charged with criminal
obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, fourth-degree criminal mischief, first-degree criminal contempt, menacing a police officer, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Criollo was held overnight at Southampton Town Police headquarters for arraignment, police said.

Southampton Town patrol units, detectives, and New York State troopers responded to the Hampton Bays home, police said.