Two suspects were taken into custody by the Colonie Police Department Monday afternoon after a robbery that occurred at 3:45 a.m. Monday, April 7, at the Residence Inn.
The suspects, Edward Ryan, 44, and Randy Kwiatkowski, 25, both of Schenectady, were the subjects of a Colonie Police Department manhunt that lasted several hours after Kwiatkowski was believed to have threatened the night clerk at the hotel at knifepoint, demanding money from the cash register.
The night clerk said he was approached by a male subject who, after demanding the money, left the hotel in a vehicle with another subject, who was driving. Detective Lt. John Van Alstyne said the vehicle that the two allegedly drove away from the hotel in was found empty at the Thunderbird Motel.
The police then stopped a motor vehicle registered in Ryan’s name at 12:20 p.m. at Route 5 and Booth Street.
The driver of the vehicle, who knew the suspects but was later determined to not be involved in the crime, was asked to step out of the vehicle for questioning.
Kwiatkowski waited and watched in the front passenger seat. Ryan was also in the vehicle.
While we had the driver outside of the vehicle, interviewing him, Randy was in the front seat, said Van Alstyne, `He reached over, turned the ignition of the car on, slid over to the front sear and sped away.`
Kwiatkowski drove erratically for about a mile or two, before abandoning the vehicle on Gail Avenue and fleeing by foot.
Van Alstyne said the Colonie Police then called for dogs and a state police helicopter for assistance.
Two schools in the South Colonie School District, Forest Park and Central Avenue Learning Center, were notified Monday morning to increase security until the suspects were caught due to their proximity to the scene.
`The schools went on lockdown just for precautions because we didn’t have any information,` he said.
The schools did dismiss students at regular time, after the suspects were found hiding in a nearby neighborhood. Van Alstyne said Kwiatkowski and Ryan did not resist arrest.
While both have been charged with robbery, Van Alstyne said Kwiatkowski will also be charged with reckless endangerment, for his driving while speeding away from the police, and criminal possession of a weapon, as he is believed to be the suspect who threatened the night clerk with the knife.
Both suspects have been transferred to Albany County Jail without bail.“