BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 52-year-old Buffalo man has been charged with making a threat against a local business.
Joseph S. Chowaniec of Buffalo was arraigned Monday morning in Buffalo City Court on one count of Making a Terroristic Threat.
Investigators say Chowaniec called a local pizzeria on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo on Sunday and allegedly made a threat to an employee to with the intention of intimidating or coercing that created a reasonable expectation of fear.
The pizzeria closed for the day after the alleged incident.
Shortly afterwards, the suspect is accused of placing a second call to a brewery located in downtown Buffalo. He allegedly made a threat to an employee to with the intention of intimidating or coercing that created a reasonable expectation of fear.
Officials say Chowaniec made a reference to the mass shooting at Tops on Jefferson Avenue.
“This defendant is accused of making threatening phone calls to businesses and referencing this horrific shooting as the entire City of Buffalo is grieving this tragedy. This crime will not be tolerated – especially as we are actively investigating the Jefferson Avenue shooting as a domestic terrorism incident. Any threat will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.
Chowaniec is scheduled to return to court on May 20 for a felony hearing. He was remanded without bail pending a forensic examination. If convicted, Chowaniec faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.
The judge issued temporary no-contact orders of protection on behalf of the victims, which includes their place of employment.
