BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York says a Buffalo man pleaded guilty to breaking into and larceny from an interstate carrier facility, for stealing bourbon, car parts, electronics from railroad cars.
Officials say 38-year-old Nicholas Birdwell along with two other men, went to the rail yards in the vicinity of Broadway and Bailey Avenue in Buffalo, broke into rail cars using a crowbar, bolt-cutters and other tools, entered the cars, and removed property from the rail cars on multiple occasions between May and June 2018.
According to the United States Attorney's Office
- On June 8, 2018, the three defendants broke into a rail car carrying automobiles and removed the tires and rims from a 2018 Jeep and a 2018 Dodge. The total loss relating to the 2018 Jeep was $1,882.10, and the total loss relating to the 2018 Dodge was $2,836.06.
- On June 22, 2018, the defendants stole approximately 20 cases (120 bottles) of Jefferson bourbon, and sold them for profit. The value of the bourbon was approximately $3,118,80.
- On June 26, 2018, the defendants stole a 50-inch Samsung television valued at approximately $400.
One of the defendants, Ray Chrostowski was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing, and charges are pending for the other co-defendant Paul Krieger.
If convicted, Birdwell faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
