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Tips from the public a key in arrest for Grape Street murders

Three years ago, the Erie County District Attorney and Buffalo Police Commissioner said a big hurdle to solving more city murders was getting cooperation from witnesses. Then, a grandmother and toddler were gunned down on Grape Street and investigators found a flow of tips that continues to this day.

BUFFALO, NY — Did the horrific Grape Street murders bring city residents and the city police department closer?

For years, various Erie County District Attorneys and police officers have pointed to a lack of cooperation from witnesses, victims, and family members as a major reason behind the city's unsolved homicides.

Then, a grandmother and a toddler were gunned down and something unusual happened. The typical decline of tip to investigators over time didn’t take place.

“I believe that that homicide and especially the horrific nature of it really struck a nerve and to this day we’re still getting information on that homicide,” Captain Jeffrey Rinaldo said.

In addition, Rinaldo says in the last eight months, police have confiscated more weapons. This was one of the central jobs of the now disbanded Strike Force unit. That, says Rinaldo is a result of good information from the public.

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