Man perched in Staten Island tree arrested, admits hunting deer

STATEN ISLAND, New York City (WABC) -- A 28-year-old man armed with a crossbow was arrested in a Staten Island tree, apparently perched to illegally hunt deer, according to police.

An off-duty officer reportedly spotted Cody Pernice in the tree off Connecticut Street and Clermont Avenue around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Authorities say Pernice was armed with a crossbow and admitted he was hunting deer.

He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon. The state Department of Environmental Conservation will also charge Pernice.