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Putnam Man, 56, Accused Of Threatening To Shoot Latinos

PATTERSON, N.Y. -- A Patterson man has been arrested after allegedly making threats to shoot Latinos after getting irate over hearing a grocery store employee speaking in Spanish during a trip last Tuesday, according to a release from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

A 56-year-old Patterson man has been arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot Spanish speakers.

A 56-year-old Patterson man has been arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot Spanish speakers.

Photo Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's/Facebook

Upon hearing the employee, a woman who works at Putnam Lake Market, Wayne Rossi is accused of telling her, "“this is our country, we speak English here," adding that he “wants to shoot all Spanish speaking people."

Rossi, 56, was gone by the time a sheriff's deputy showed up. He was subsequently found and admitted to making the remarks, the sheriff's office alleges.

The suspect was also found to have possession of a .22 caliber rifle, the sheriff's office claims, which is illegal because he has a past felony conviction. 

Rossi has been charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, which is a misdemeanor, and harassment, which is a non-criminal violation. He was remanded to Putnam County Jail, the sheriff's office adds, which was in lieu of $500 bail or $1,000 bond. 

The suspect is due in court on Jan 10, 2017.

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