Thomas Pickard, 27, of Rensselaer, is facing multiple charges after police say he threatened to shoot individuals, damaged a police vehicle, and later bit an officer.
According to court documents, on April 12, 2026, at approximately 8:54 PM, the Rensselaer Police Department received a 911 call advising of a white male wearing all black clothing “yelling and threatening to shoot someone” outside a residence in the 900 block of East B-Mar Drive. Officers arrived and located the male, identified as Pickard, who was detained. While being detained, officers reported they could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person.
Court documents state Pickard had been inside an apartment drinking alcoholic beverages when he began touching two individuals in an unwanted manner while also speaking poorly about a child. He was told to stop and leave, and after exiting the apartment, Pickard allegedly became angry and began yelling that he was going to “pop pop,” which was believed to mean he was going to shoot them.
Police say that as Pickard was being taken into custody and placed into a police vehicle, he “forcefully and purposely smashed his head into the rear windshield,” causing damage to the vehicle.
Pickard was later transported to a hospital for medical treatment, where police say he bit an officer on the ring finger of his right hand.
Charges filed April 14,2026:
• Battery Against a Public Safety Official – Level 6 Felony
• Intimidation: Threat to Commit a Forcible Felony – Level 6 Felony (2 counts)
• Criminal Mischief (Damage Between $750 & $50,000) – Class A Misdemeanor
• Public Intoxication (Harassing, Annoying, or Alarming Conduct) – Class B Misdemeanor
• Disorderly Conduct – Class B Misdemeanor
