Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Dareious T. Akbar of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree (Class “A-I” felony), one count of Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer (Class “B” violent felony), three counts of Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felonies), one count of Assault Upon a Police Officer (Class “C” violent felony), one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony) and one count of Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor).
It is alleged that on Monday, May 29, 2023, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Town of Tonawanda police officers initiated a traffic stop for a vehicle that allegedly drove through a red light at the intersection of Sheridan Drive and Sheridan-Parkside Drive. The vehicle, a 2019 Kia Sportage, had been reported stolen earlier that day from the Village of East Aurora. During the traffic stop, the defendant, who is accused of being the driver of the stolen vehicle, allegedly drove off and dragged one of the police officers. Officer David Piatek was taken by ambulance to ECMC. He continues to recover from a head injury and other serious physical injuries.
Akbar is scheduled to return on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to be held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Akbar faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Akbar was scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon before Judge Case in separate criminal case involving a stolen vehicle, but the matter was adjourned.
On Saturday, October 22, 2022, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Buffalo Police saw the defendant driving a stolen vehicle, a 2021 Kia Soul, westbound on Seneca Street. The defendant abandoned the vehicle on Tamarack Street and attempted to flee on foot. He was arrested a short time later in the area of Abbott Road and Athol Street.
Akbar pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony) on April 11, 2023. Akbar faces up to 4 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date.
The defendant has two additional pending criminal cases in the Town of Amherst and City of Lackawanna.
It is alleged that on September 15, 2022, a 2019 Dodge Ram was reported stolen from the Town of Hamburg. Other nearby residents also reported that items were stolen from their parked vehicles. The defendant is accused of being in possession of the stolen vehicle and using the victims’ debit card and credit cards to make various unauthorized purchases in the Town of Amherst. Following an investigation by the Amherst Police Department, an arrest warrant was issued for Akbar on or about April 28, 2023.
Akbar was arrested on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. The following morning, he was arraigned before Amherst Town Court Justice Kara Buscaglia on one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony) and four counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felonies). Akbar was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. He was remanded on this case following his arrest for the Town of Tonawanda incident. The case is currently pending action of the Grand Jury after the defendant waived the felony hearing. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
It is further alleged that on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at approximately 4:35 p.m., the defendant, with the intent to place or attempt to place another person in reasonable fear, pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the victim. Officers allegedly recovered a black BB gun during the investigation.
Akbar was charged with one count of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor). As the charge is a non-qualifying offense, he was given an appearance ticket to be arraigned at a later date. The defendant failed to appear for the arraignment on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Akbar was arraigned in Lackawanna City Court on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Bail was set at $1. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department, Town of Tonawanda Police Department, Amherst Police Department, Town of Hamburg Police Department and City of Lackawanna Police Department for their work in these investigations.
The case involving the assault of the police officer is being prosecuted by Chief Paul Glascott and Assistant District Attorney Beth Solek of the Vehicular Crimes Unit. The stolen vehicle is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Milton D. Gordon 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.
