NIAGARA FALLS – Two Niagara Falls men were arrested Thursday afternoon after a foot chase that ended what police said was an unsuccessful effort to rob a Portage Road check cashing business with a handgun stolen in Lockport 11 years ago.
Cortez M. McClain, 22, of Cleveland Avenue and Marcus D. Hamilton Jr., 22 of North Avenue, were arrested in the 500 block of 9th Street without incident after they fled from a stolen minivan, police said. They fled after the minivan struck a parked car.
Police Lt. Michael Trane said the two, wearing masks, entered the Universal Check Cashing store at 740 Portage about 1:20 p.m. and using the stolen handgun demanded money that a clerk refused to give them. Running from the store as workers called police the two went to the stolen minivan and drove off, only to crash into the parked car, Lt. Trane said.
Both were charged with first and second-degree attempted robbery, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon for the robbery attempt and grand larceny and criminal mischief for the stolen minivan. Trane said no one was injured in the series of events.
Cortez M. McClain, 22, of Cleveland Avenue and Marcus D. Hamilton Jr., 22 of North Avenue, were arrested in the 500 block of 9th Street without incident after they fled from a stolen minivan, police said. They fled after the minivan struck a parked car.
Police Lt. Michael Trane said the two, wearing masks, entered the Universal Check Cashing store at 740 Portage about 1:20 p.m. and using the stolen handgun demanded money that a clerk refused to give them. Running from the store as workers called police the two went to the stolen minivan and drove off, only to crash into the parked car, Lt. Trane said.
Both were charged with first and second-degree attempted robbery, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon for the robbery attempt and grand larceny and criminal mischief for the stolen minivan. Trane said no one was injured in the series of events.