WATERTOWN, NY — The Watertown Police Department issued the following statement on April 9:
“At 8:53 am on 04/09/2026, members of our uniform patrol division were dispatched to 11 Public Sq for a robbery complaint.
The caller reported that Paul Flaherty stole two computers from the computer room in the building. While trying to flee with the computers he engaged in a physical altercation with a staff member and punched said staff member in the face. Paul then barricaded himself in his apartment in the same building and refused to come out. Our negotiation team responded to begin negotiations. At 1:35 pm, Paul opened his door and was taken into custody without further incident.
Paul Brian Flaherty, a 58-year-old Watertown man, was charged with Robbery in
the third degree, a class D felony, fourth-degree grand larceny, a class E felony, and Harassment in the second degree, a violation.
Paul is being held pending arraignment.
We were assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Metro Jefferson Drug Task Force, Guilfoyle, and the Jefferson County 911 Center.”
Joseph A. Giaquinto
Detective Lieutenant
