SUV stolen at gunpoint in Rome

The theft of an SUV at gunpoint on West Liberty Street Tuesday evening is under investigation by the Rome Police Department.

Police said the victim was standing outside his 2009 Ford Escape in his driveway in the 1000 block of W. Liberty St. when a Black male came up behind him at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police said the thief put a gun to the back of the victim’s head and demanded the keys to the vehicle.

The victim handed over the keys and the thief fled the scene in the stolen SUV, eastbound on West Liberty Street. Police said the thief struck a utility pole as the fled the scene, damaging a taillight and knocked off a sideview mirror.

The white-colored 2009 Ford Escape has a vanity license plate of “NTMYPNY”, police said.

Anyone with information on the missing SUV and the thief is asked to call the Rome Police tip line at 315-339-7744.

Anonymous tips can be sent to the website www.MohawkValleyCrimeStoppers.com or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-866-730-8477.