Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Ryan C. Klatt, 35, of no permanent address, was arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller on an indictment charging him with seven counts of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class “D” felonies).
It is alleged that on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at approximately 9:08 p.m., the defendant and an unidentified co-defendant unlawfully entered a store on the 200 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo by prying open the back door, which had been boarded closed. The defendant is accused of stealing various packages while the store was closed.
It is alleged that on the morning of Thursday, November 7, 2024, at approximately 4:07 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a business on the 1500 block of Niagara Street through a rear basement doorway, which had been boarded closed. The defendant is accused of stealing various items including tools and clothing valued at approximately $695. The defendant was found inside of the building where he was taken into custody by police. The defendant was arraigned later the same day in Buffalo City Court. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges were non-qualifying offenses for bail.
It is alleged that on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at approximately 5:33 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a store on the 400 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo.
On November 19, 2024, Buffalo City Court Judge Peter J. Savage, III, issued a bench warrant after the defendant failed to appear for a scheduled court date on the alleged crime that occurred on November 7, 2024.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a business on the 600 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo through a side door. The defendant is accused of using a crowbar to pry open the cash register and steal its contents.
It is alleged that on Monday, January 13, 2025, at approximately 5:30 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a business on the 700 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo by using a screwdriver to pry open the rear door. The defendant is accused of prying open the cash register to steal its contents.
It is alleged that on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a business on the 200 block of Plymouth Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of breaking into the cash register to steal its contents. The defendant is also accused of stealing a bag, which contained an employee’s credit cards.
It is alleged that on Friday, January 24, 2025, at approximately 2:19 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered another business on the 700 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of breaking into the cash register to steal its contents. Later the same day, the defendant was returned on the bench warrant after being arrested by Lackawanna Police Department.
When he was returned on the bench warrant, the defendant was identified as the suspect in the additional burglaries. He has remained in pre-trial custody following his arraignment on additional charges since January 25, 2025.
Klatt is scheduled to return on Friday, April 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. He remains held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Klatt faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.
DA Keane commends Detective Brendan Overdorf, Detective Thomas Olejniczak, Detective Lamar Reeves, Officer Giovanni Colon, and Officer Magan Campbell of the Buffalo Police Department as well as NFTA Police Officer Jamie Maloney for their work in these investigations.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel N. Celani 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.