BUFFALO, N.Y. — Since Sunday night, the issue of the looting of businesses closed because of treacherous weather conditions has been popping up across Western New York, and now especially in the City of Buffalo.
On Tuesday, the city officials announced that it has created an anti-looting detail to combat looting and tack down those who have broken into and trashed businesses.
Later on Tuesday afternoon, the Buffalo Police Department shared that a fifth arrest has been made in connection to looting. By Wednesday, that number has increased to 10.
On Wednesday the Erie County District Attorney's Office announced that several alleged suspects were arraigned in court.
The attorney's office said Felix Ramos, 46, of Buffalo was arraigned on one count of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony), one count of Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor) and one count of Attempted Petit Larceny (Class “B” misdemeanor).
According to the release, Monday, December 26, 2022, at approximately 8:04 a.m., Ramos allegedly burglarized the Family Dollar store on the 400 block of William Street. Ramos allegedly entered the closed store through a broken front door in an attempt to steal various items. When confronted by responding police officers, Ramos attempted to run out of a rear door but was taken into custody by police.
Ramos is being held without bail. He is scheduled to return for a felony hearing on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.
According to the attorney's office, Luiman E. Velez, 55, of Buffalo was arraigned on one count of Burglary in the Third Degree and one count of Attempted Petit Larceny.
The release said that on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at approximately 11:31 p.m., Velez burglarized a Dollar Tree store at the 1300 block of Broadway. Buffalo Police officers allegedly saw Velez enter the closed store through a broken door and attempt to steal various items.
Velez is scheduled to return for a felony hearing on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. Bail was set at $1,500 cash, bond, property or partially secured bond.
Shaniece A. Jones, 34 of Buffalo was also arraigned this morning before Judge Faso on one count of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree (Class “B” misdemeanor).
According to the release, on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at approximately 8:01 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a reported burglary at a Family Dollar store on the 2500 block of Bailey Avenue. Police said that officers allegedly saw Jones inside the store. Jones is accused of knowingly entering and remaining unlawfully inside of the store, which was closed at the time of the incident.
Jones is scheduled to return on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. She was released on her own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.
The attorney's office said Aaron Peterson, 57, of Buffalo was arraigned as well. He is facing charges of one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony), one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class “D” violent felony), and one count of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor).
According to the news release, on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Peterson allegedly pointed an illegal gun at a victim near a Family Dollar store on the 900 block of Jefferson Avenue. The attorney's office said his actions placed the victim in reasonable fear of injury or death.
Peterson is scheduled to return on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Bail was set at $25,000 cash, bond, or partially secured bond.
“These defendants are accused of looting stores while our police and first responders were working to save lives during this horrific storm. These were not crimes of desperation, but crimes of opportunity to steal items from unoccupied stores during a blizzard. My office will prosecute these offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.
The Buffalo Police Department is actively investigating additional looting incidents. Anyone with information on these crimes in encouraged to contact the Buffalo Police Department or the Erie County DA’s Office at 716-858-2424.
"This isn't people stealing food, medicine, and diapers. They are destroying stores, they're stealing TVs, couches, whatever they can get their hands on," Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said at a press conference on Monday.
He called the looters out for destroying their community. Gramaglia stressed that the police department would do everything in its power to make arrests, utilizing all the videos that have been shared with them to identify suspects.
The mayor called these people the "lowest of the low."
"People who are out looting when people are losing their lives in this harsh winter storm it's just absolutely reprehensible I don't know how they can live with themselves," said Mayor Brown during a joint press conference with Erie County and State Officials including Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday.
On Monday, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia only said that a "few" arrests had been made.
One of the stores believed to have been looted in Buffalo as of Monday was Rick's Sports Apparel near Allen Street and Elmwood Avenue. A Family Dollar at Genesee Street and Zenner Street was also trashed on Monday when looters tore through the store.
The owner of Louie's Texas Red Hots also share a surveillance video with 2 On Your Side showing his store and Street Gear attached to him getting looted.