Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 48-year-old Tonise D. Blue of Buffalo was returned to Lancaster Town Court this morning on a bench warrant where she was arraigned before Justice Anthony J. Cervi on one count of Petit Larceny (Class “A” misdemeanor).
It is alleged that on Sunday, October 30, 2022, the defendant, while acting in concert with co-defendant
59-year-old Laura G. Camus of Buffalo, stole clothing and other merchandise from a store on Transit Road near William Street in the Town of Lancaster by exiting without paying for the items. Both defendants were arrested nearby a short time later where they were allegedly found in possession of stolen merchandise valued at approximately $372.70.
Blue and Camus were issued appearance tickets to be arraigned on November 15, 2022. A bench warrant was issued for Blue after she failed to appear for an arraignment.
Blue is scheduled to return on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. for further proceedings. Bail was set at $750 cash, $7,500 bond or $7,500 partially secured surety bond.
If convicted of the charge, Blue faces up to one year in jail.
It is further alleged that on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at approximately 2:01 a.m., the defendant, while acting in concert with co-defendant 24-year-old Thomas A. Rashadrian of Buffalo, stole merchandise from a convenience store on the 1000 block of Walden Avenue in the Town of Cheektowaga. The defendants allegedly exited the store without paying for the item.
Blue was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor). She was issued an appearance ticket to be arraigned on March 28, 2023. A bench warrant was issued after she failed to appear for an arraignment.
Blue was arraigned before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice David Stevens on Sunday, July 30, 2023. She is scheduled to return on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. Bail was set at $7,500 cash, bond or partially secured surety bond.
If convicted of the charge, Blue faces up to one year in jail.
It is also alleged that on Monday, April 24, 2023, at approximately 9:17 a.m., the defendant, while acting in concert with co-defendant 50-year-old Dwon J. Watson of Lackawanna, exited a store on the 1200 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard in the Town of Amherst without paying for merchandise. Both defendants were arrested a short time later where they were allegedly found in possession of the stolen merchandise valued at approximately $599.74. Blue was allegedly found in possession of a pocket knife, which she is accused of using to remove security tags from the merchandise.
Blue was charged with one count of Possession of Burglar Tools, one count of Petit Larceny (Class “A” misdemeanors) and one count of Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree (Class “B” misdemeanor). She was issued an appearance ticket to be arraigned on May 10, 2023. A bench warrant was issued after she failed to appear for an arraignment. Blue is scheduled to appear in Amherst Town Court on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department, Cheektowaga Police Department and the Lancaster Police Department for their work in these investigations.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Stephen C. Papia, Mitchell T. Schoellkopf and Kristen S. Fischer of the Justice Courts Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
