One of Our Grandsons Robbed at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY

City of Watertown, NY, as seen from Thompson Park. It's hard to believe the crime
 that has been happening here in recent years.  photo by Gary Walts

Watertown City Police released the following regarding the robbery of one of our grandsons at Thompson Park: 

Media Release
06/08/2024

Members of our uniformed patrol division responded to Thompson Park on 06/08/2024 at 2:25 am for a robbery. It is alleged that Jayden Holt, Jiovanni Chambers, and a 17-year-old juvenile female brandished a knife at Jacob Shipps, engaged in a physical altercation with him, and stole his money, credit cards, and car. It is also alleged that Jayden drove the victim’s vehicle while intoxicated, struck another motor vehicle, and then struck a stone wall on Park Dr where he was taken into custody.

Jayden Holt, an 18-year-old male residing at 9 Champion St in Carthage, NY, was charged with Robbery in the first degree, a class B felony, two counts of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, class E felonies, Driving While Intoxicated, a misdemeanor, and Fleeing an Officer in a Motor Vehicle, a class A misdemeanor.

Jiovanni Chambers, a 19-year-old male residing at 395 Gaffney Dr in Watertown, NY, was charged with Robbery in the first degree, a class B felony, two counts of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, class E felonies.

The 17-year-old female was charged with Robbery in the first degree, a class B felony, two counts of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, class E felonies.

They are being held pending arraignment in Watertown City Court.

The Watertown Police Department were assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Jefferson County Probation Department, Guilfoyle Emergency Medical Service, and Watertown City Fire Department.

Joseph A. Giaquinto
Detective Sergeant

Stone wall at foot of Thompson Park after car thief crashed Jake's car into it.

Jake went to the park to meet a girl whom he had met online. When he got there he was assaulted and threatened with a knife. Assailants demanded his money, debit card and car keys. They also wanted his phone. Somehow Jake managed to get away with his phone and called 911. Police arrived and a car chase ensued. The robbers crashed Jake's car into a stone wall, totaling the vehicle. Clearly to us Jake was lured into a robbery / car jacking situation. 

It is unbelievable to us that such an incident could happen here. We are thankful for the quick police response and thankful Jake wasn't seriously injured.