Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 35-year-old Walter L. Hicks and 35-year-old Shaniece Jones, both of Buffalo, were arraigned yesterday morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on an indictment charging them each with one count of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony).
It is alleged that on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a reported burglary at a Family Dollar store on the 2500 block of Bailey Avenue. The defendants are accused of knowingly entering and unlawfully remaining inside of the store with the intent to steal merchandise.
The store was closed at the time of the alleged crime due to the winter storm and damage from prior looting incidents. The defendants allegedly gained entry to the store through a broken glass door, which had been previously smashed by an unknown individual. Both defendants were arrested after police found them inside of a back room of the store.
Hicks and Jones are scheduled to return on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. Both remain released on their own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.
If convicted of the charge, Hicks and Jones faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.
“These defendants allegedly looted a store while our police and first responders were tirelessly working to save lives during this deadly winter storm. My office is committed to prosecuting these offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.
DA Flynn commends Officers Gerard Wasilewski and Joseph Martin as well as the Buffalo Police Department Anti-Looting Task Force for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joelle M. Marino of the Felony Trials Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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