Bethlehem Police say they arrested a Delmar man one day after he tried to rob his neighbor while she was in the shower, which resulted in a struggle.
Police saw Joseph A. Bailey, 50, walking west on Jan. 26 along Delaware Avenue where he lives, according to the arrest report, and an officer recognized him as the black male wanted on an warrant for an incident that occurred the previous day.
Bailey had a warrant out for third-degree robbery and second-degree burglary, both felonies.
Bethlehem Police said they saw Bailey get on a CDTA bus and head east toward Albany before the police officer that spotted him could turn his cruiser around pursue him. The officer subsequently stopped the CDTA bus on the Albany City line and explained the situation to the bus driver who then allowed the officer to interview Bailey, the report states.
The officer discovered Bailey’s identity and placed him under arrest without incident before transporting him to the Bethlehem Police Department where he was processed, according to police.
Bailey’s arrest stemmed from a robbery that occurred at his apartment complex on Jan. 25.
The victim of the robbery told police she heard a noise while showering, the report states, and when she opened her curtain she saw her downstairs neighbor removing a red and white zipper pouch from her bathrobe on the floor.
The pouch contained approximately $137, according to the victim.
When she saw Bailey, whom she was acquainted with, she `exited her shower naked and a struggle for the money took place in the bedroom,` the report states.
Bethlehem Police said the victim wound up on top of Bailey on the bed but she was pushed off onto her dresser and then fell to the floor.
Bailey allegedly put his hand over her mouth and pulled down his boxer shorts indicating that he wanted sex, the report states, `but did not follow through.`
Bailey then got up and apologized to the victim and told her he was putting the money back in her robe, but returned the pouch without the $137, which he kept, according to police.
The victim told police that she had a relationship with Bailey about a year before the incident and that he must have made a copy of her key at one point because she `was sure` her door was closed and locked before she took a shower, the report states.
Police said she also told officers that Bailey `has a crack cocaine habit` and she believes he previously stole cash and checks from her apartment.
The victim complained of back pain from the incident but refused medical treatment saying she would follow up with her own doctor, according to police.
She was transported to the Bethlehem Police Department for `safety reasons` and then moved to temporary housing but could not be contacted by police the following day at Bailey’s arraignment.
Bailey was arraigned by Bethlehem Town Justice Ryan Donovan and sent to the Albany County Correctional Facility in lieu of a $30,000 cash bond, the report states. He is expected to appear at Bethlehem Town Court on Feb. 18.
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