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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
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Man Arrested with Machete Spotted By Passerby as Armed Robber, Police Say

 Terrence Wharton, 22, was arrested after police discovered a machete in his car, police said. Wharton was later linked to an attempted robbery.
Terrence Wharton, 22, was arrested after police discovered a machete in his car, police said. Wharton was later linked to an attempted robbery.
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HUDSON HEIGHTS — A man who was arrested during a traffic stop after police found a machete in his car was later charged with attempted robbery when a passerby recognized him as the stickup man in that crime, the NYPD said.

Officers pulled over Terrance Wharton, 22, for a traffic violation on June 3 at about 1 a.m. near 207th Street and Ninth Avenue, police said.

While he was stopped, the officers noticed a machete in the backseat of his car and arrested Wharton on weapons possession charges, the NYPD said.

During the arrest, a passerby who had witnessed a gunpoint robbery on May 18 recognized Wharton as the possible perpetrator and contacted the 34th Precinct, police said.

One of the robbery victims was later able to pick Wharton out of a lineup, and he was charged with attempted robbery, according to police and the criminal complaint.

In that incident, Wharton approached a 24-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman outside of 55 Overlook Terrace at about 1 a.m. and said, “Give me everything you got,” according to police and the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

When they refused, Wharton allegedly pulled out what appeared to be a gun and pointed it at the victims, the complaint said. 

The victims fled into 55 Overlook Terrace, where Wharton allegedly followed them and pointed the gun in their faces, the complaint said. 

He ultimately fled the scene without taking anything from the pair, police and DA said. 

Wharton has at least two previous arrests for criminal weapons possession, including one in 2014 for having a knife and another in 2011 for having brass knuckles, police said.

He was released on $40,000 bail on June 13, according to the DA and city Department of Correction records.

He was due back in court on the attempted robbery charge Tuesday, and is due for the weapons charge on August 5, court records show.

His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.