Liverpool — John W. Putnam was 35 years old when he showed a knife and robbed Nichols Discount Liquors at 301 First St., shortly before 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3.
By the time he was apprehended more than three months later in Brockton, Mass., Putnam had turned 36. His birthday was Sept. 21.
During those few days he lived in Liverpool in late July and early August, Putnam told people that his name was “B.J.”
On the lam
After Putnam took it on the lam, Liverpool Police Chief Don Morris coordinated the efforts of four police agencies aided by two district attorneys’ offices in two different states to bring the suspect back to Central New York from his longtime residence in Plymouth County in eastern Massachusetts.
Within two days of the robbery, the LPD had identified the man because he had signed for a money order he received at Kieffer’s Cigar Store, at 409 Tulip St., a couple days before the crime. Videotapes of the suspect shot at Kieffer’s and later at Nichols confirmed that it was the same man.
“Then I checked Facebook,” Morris said, “and, sure enough, our suspect had created page and posted a good color photo there.” LPD Officer Bill Gabriel created a photo array from which witness John MacKenzie, the clerk at Nichols Liquors, identified Putnam as the man who displayed a knife while stealing $150 and a bottle of Canadian Mist.
The LPD determined that Putnam boarded an east-bound Greyhound bus on the morning after the crime and traced his travel to Albany and from there to his native Bay State.
First-degree robbery
Police in the town of Plymouth, Mass., advised Morris that they were familiar with Putnam and his family. Putnam had one alcohol-related arrest on his record.
On Oct. 19, police in Brockton, Mass. informed Morris that Putnam was being detained on the arrest warrant signed Aug. 5 by Liverpool Justice Anthony LaValle. The suspect initially fought extradition, but after Morris and MacKenzie testified before an Onondaga County grand jury on Nov. 19, he was indicted for first-degree robbery, a class B felony.
continued — The indictment apparently convinced Putnam to waive extradition and return here to face the charge. Onondaga Sheriff’s deputies drove to Massachusetts to pick up Putnam who was incarcerated Dec. 8 at the Corbett Justice Center in Syracuse.
On Dec. 17, Putnam pleaded guilty in Onondaga County Court and was sentenced to five years in state prison.
New Year’s Eve glow
Why not knock down a few pins as you welcome the new year?
For $32.95 per person you and at least two of your friends or family members can enjoy glow-in-the-dark bowling all night on Thursday, Dec. 31, at Flamingo Bowl, 7239 Oswego Road.
Between strikes and spares bowlers will feast on the Flamingo’s holiday buffet of Italian specialties, wings, pizza, pulled pork, salads, brownies and a champagne toast at midnight; 457-7470; FlamingoBowlCNY.com.
Business briefs
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Pizza Villa at the corner of Oswego and Tulip streets is now owned by Mark DeSalvo, the brother of longtime co-owner Valerie Scordo, who continues to help manage the business along with veteran pizza chef Frank Griffin. Mark, who’s often found at the shop weekends and Mondays, has been tweaking the Villa menu since June, adding more dinner plates including eggplant parm and riggies; 451-4200.
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Rent-a-Ride, which was located at 318 Oswego St., at the corner of North Willow Street, is now closed.
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M&A Sportswear recently opened in Ponderosa Plaza, 209 Oswego St., specializing in Nike footwear. A week ago, they were offering two pairs of shoes for just $50; 480-9217.
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Antelmi-Fusco & Cazzola Insurance has moved from 514 Oswego St., to 8035 Oswego Road (Route 57); 457-0890. The building at the corner of Vine Street has been purchased by Sohyla Ziaie, the owner of Kashani Home Décor & Gifts, next door at 512 Oswego St. Extensive renovations are underway, and Ziaie plans to open a tea house on the Vine Street side and hopes to attract two more retail or office tenants as well as a tenant for a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor; 457-0494.
The columnist can be contacted at [email protected].
