Wanted Sex Offender Picked Up at Binghamton Restaurant

A dangerous, level-3 sex offender is in custody after being found at a popular downtown Binghamton restaurant November 11.

Binghamton police apprehended 66 year old Ronald Cook of Utica at around 4:30 p.m. outside the Little Venice restaurant on Chenango Street. Officials say the arrest was possible due to efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement and tips from the public.

Cook had been convicted of raping a 24 year old woman in Binghamton in 1990 and was said to have cut off his post-release GPS ankle bracelet Wednesday. He also had not been in contact with his parole officer.

The man had been reportedly seen in Rome, New York, Scranton Pennsylvania and Binghamton.

Cook had been sentenced to 150 months to 25 years in prison before being released on parole

He was being held in the Broome County Jail on a parole violation.

Once returned to Utica, Cook is expected to face additional charges.