Juan Resto

A Dunkirk man will be facing time in prison after being convicted of first-degree menacing of a police officer.

In September 2021, city of Dunkirk police officers observed a subject on a bicycle at East Second Street and Washington Avenue. Officers approached the subject, Juan L. Resto Jr., 36, and advised him he was under arrest.

Resto proceeded to throw the bicycle at the patrol vehicle and fled on foot, leading officers on a foot pursuit. During the pursuit Resto turned around, produced a large knife and held it up in a menacing manner toward officers.

Resto then advanced on pursuing officers with the knife. Officers quickly and successfully deployed a taser device on Resto and he was able to be taken into custody without further incident or injury.

Resto was sentenced Monday by the Chautauqua County Court Judge David W. Foley to four years in state prison plus a four-year post-release supervision.

This conviction is the result of a plea by the defendant in July 2022. District Attorney Jason Schmidt said he would like to thank the Dunkirk Police Department for their hard work and assistance in this case and also make it clear to the community that “threatening behavior toward our members of law enforcement will not be tolerated.”