Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Abel Gebrehawaria, 24, of Buffalo was arraigned this morning on a sealed indictment before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “B” felony).
It is alleged that on the early morning of March 2, 2024 the victim was exiting her car on George Urban Boulevard in the Town of Cheektowaga when the defendant approached her and attacked her in her driveway and dragged her towards a parked SUV on the street. The defendant pushed her into the rear seat and drove away. The victim was able to grab the steering wheel causing the vehicle to drive up onto the curb. The defendant then told the victim to go and after she left Cheektowaga police were called.
Gebrehawaria was remanded without bail. The next court date has not yet been scheduled.
If convicted of the charge, Gebrehawaria faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Acting DA Keane commends Chief Brian Coons, Lt. Justin Haag, Detective Eric Derby, and members of the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Mattle of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
