Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 29-year-old Carlos David Chaparro-Jaimes of Los Angeles, California and 33-year-old Christian Camilo Garcia Guzman of San Jose, California were arraigned this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging them each with one count of Burglary in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony) and one count of Resisting Arrest (Class “A” misdemeanor).
A co-defendant, 36-year-old Johanna P. Parra-Morales of Los Angeles, California was previously arraigned before Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging her with one count of Burglary in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony), one count of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree and one count of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors).
It is alleged that on June 26, 2023, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Amherst Police responded to the area of Rumson Road for a reported residential burglary in progress after receiving a 911 call from a neighbor. Defendant Parra-Morales is accused of driving Chaparro-Jaimes and Garcia Guzman to the residence with the intent to commit a burglary. Defendants Chaparro-Jaimes and Garcia Guzman allegedly broke into the home through a rear door, stole various personal items and exited through the front door before fleeing in a vehicle allegedly driven by Parra-Morales.
Responding offers allegedly saw the suspect vehicle nearby and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The accused driver of the vehicle collided with a parked vehicle after a brief pursuit. It is alleged that after the collision, three defendants ran from the vehicle in an attempt to evade arrest, but were taken into custody. Defendant Parra-Morales was allegedly found in possession of a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine, which was recovered from her purse. Officers allegedly recovered jewelry and other personal items that were reported stolen from the victim’s home.
All three defendants, who are Colombian nationals, were initially arraigned in Amherst Town Court and held on bail.
Chaparro-Jaimes, Garcia Guzman and Parra-Morales are scheduled to return on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. for a pre-trial conference. All three defendants were held without bail.
If convicted of the highest count, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Nicholas Marino and William Fitzgerald 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.
