A civilian was stabbed Monday morning while trying to stop a shoplifter outside a Runnings store in Plattsburgh, according to New York State Police. The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Dylan M. Blake of Plattsburgh, was arrested the following day and charged with first-degree robbery.
The incident happened around 9:57 a.m. on November 17 at the Centre Drive retail location.
Police say Blake filled a cart with high-value tools and pushed it out of the store without paying. A customer who noticed the theft alerted an employee but was told staff could not intervene due to store policy. The customer then took action on their own, confronting Blake outside the store.
Blake fled on foot, and the civilian chased him. A second passerby stopped to help. During the struggle that followed, police say Blake pulled a knife and stabbed the first civilian in the leg. The suspect ran off, while both civilians remained on scene.
Emergency crews arrived and applied a tourniquet before transporting the victim to CVPH with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police later identified the suspect as Blake, a state parolee with recent arrests for stealing a motorcycle and fleeing law enforcement. He was found and arrested on November 18, then processed at SP Plattsburgh. He faces a felony robbery charge and is being held in Clinton County Jail on bail set at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.
State Police thanked the civilians for their bravery but reminded the public not to confront suspected criminals directly.
“If you witness a crime, contact law enforcement immediately,” officials said.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the case.
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