A man is facing multiple charges after allegedly threatening a restaurant employee with a knife during an altercation at a Hudson Valley business, police said.

The incident happened in Dutchess County on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at around 7:45 p.m. at Cancun's Mexican Restaurant on South Broadway in Red Hook, the Red Hook Police Department announced on Thursday, Feb. 20.

According to police, witnesses said a man entered the restaurant and got into a heated verbal altercation with a female employee, which escalated when he allegedly displayed a knife and made threats against her.

Both the man and the employee then left the restaurant on foot while continuing to argue. Officers quickly located them on East Market Street, police said.

After further investigation, officers arrested 55-year-old Justino Romero, of Red Hook. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, and harassment, all misdemeanors.

Romero was processed and arraigned in Village Court, where, due to New York State bail reform laws, he was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to return to court at a later date.