ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. — New York State Police say a man who had been the subject of a search in the Liverpool area has been located and taken into custody: Liverpool wanted subject custody.
In an update to a Sept. 30 news release, State Police said Nickolas R. Gartner, 21, of Fulton, had been found. The agency thanked the public and other law enforcement agencies for their assistance.
The update came after a search that involved State Police, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, K9 units and State Police Aviation.
Search began after attempted motorcycle stop
According to State Police, troopers attempted to stop a motorcycle operated by Gartner at about 10 a.m. on Sept. 30. Police said Gartner was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Town of Volney Court.
State Police said Gartner did not stop and fled into the city of Fulton. The motorcycle was later reported in Onondaga County and was eventually found abandoned near 12 Crown Road in Liverpool.
Police said Gartner and a female passenger were seen leaving the area on foot. Authorities then began a search and advised residents to expect an increased police presence.
Charges listed in the warrant
The original State Police release said Gartner was wanted on the following charges:
- Rape in the first degree, a Class B felony
- Luring a child, a Class D felony
- Sexual misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor
- Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Class A misdemeanors
State Police did not provide additional details in the update about the underlying allegations, the circumstances of Gartner’s capture or where he was taken after being located.
Public warning lifted by custody update
Before Gartner was taken into custody, State Police had warned members of the public not to approach him if they saw him. Police said at the time that it was unknown whether he was armed and asked anyone with information about his location to call 911.
The later update changed the immediate public-safety situation by confirming that Gartner was no longer being sought.
State Police also described a female passenger who had been seen leaving the area with Gartner, but the agency’s update did not announce any charge against that person or provide any further information about her status.
What happens next
Because Gartner was wanted on an arrest warrant, the next steps are expected to take place through the court system. The State Police release did not say when he would be arraigned, whether bail would be considered or whether prosecutors would seek additional charges related to the alleged flight from police.
The listed charges remain allegations. A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Regional law-enforcement response
The search drew assistance from multiple law-enforcement resources in Central New York. State Police said K9 teams and Aviation were involved, while the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office also assisted.
Multi-agency searches of this type can create a visible police presence in residential and commercial areas, especially when officers are looking for a person who has left a vehicle and continued on foot. State Police had specifically alerted Liverpool-area residents during the search so they would understand the increased activity.
The agency’s update did not identify where Gartner was found or which agency physically took him into custody.
Source and case status
This report is based on a Sept. 30, 2026, release and subsequent update from the New York State Police.
Utica Phoenix will update this story if State Police, prosecutors or court officials release additional verified information about the arrest or the underlying case.
