Police: Knifeplay cut short man's attempted theft of generator

Erik Page Destefano (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Rochester man was arrested on theft and drug charges on Wednesday after a person called police to express their concern that he was holding what was described as a pocket knife.

The bizarre incident unfolded around 6 p.m. when a storeowner at Rochester Crossing called police to say the man had come into their store, gotten some napkins and then gone outside where he was holding a knife.

The person then told police dispatch they had locked the store and that the man was still outside, but had taken the knife out of its case. They also voiced concern since there was a customer with a baby inside the store at the time.

When police arrived to investigate they found that the subject had gone into Lowe's, put a Generac generator in a shopping cart and stolen it.

"We responded for the knife call, but then found out he stole the generator," said Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham today.

Arrested at the scene was Erik Page Destefano, 32, of 28 Lafayette St.

Destefano was charged with receiving stolen property, criminal trespass and drug possession.

"While outside he was holding a knife. He wasn't threatening or anything, but someone thought it suspicious and called us," Pinkham said.