City man charged with assault in North Main Street scuffle

Christopher P. Chase (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Rochester man turned himself in on Sunday following a police investigation into a July 8 assault that took place in front of Holy Rosary Church on North Main Street.
Christopher P. Chase, 47, of Fieldstone Lane, stands charged with disorderly conduct and simple assault.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. after a call to dispatch reported two men were scuffling.
When offices arrived on scene they learned that an individual had been in the area, and a male unknown to them, Chase, approached and accused them of stealing property from him, Rochester Police Public Information Officer Andrew Swanberry told The Voice on Friday.
"Chase became physically aggressive and attempted to punch the individual but missed," Swanberry noted. "The individual defended themselves forcibly separating Chase from them and they remained separated until police arrived."
Swanberry said the investigation did not uncover any evidence that the other individual had stolen anything from Chase.
The most serious charge Chase faces, simple assault, is punishable by up to a year in county jail.