BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Police Department has announced the start of a task force to investigate blizzard break-ins and said nine arrests have been made as of Wednesday afternoon.
According to police, the task force is searching through social media videos and asking for residents to contact the confidential tip line at (716) 847-2255.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said the department has had to divert resources away from recovery missions because the crime that is occurring cannot be ignored.
The police department provided video of the results of break-ins at local dollar stores, it can be seen in the player above.
On Wednesday, the Erie County District Attorney's Office identified four of the individuals that were arrested.
46-year-old Felix Ramos of Buffalo allegedly burglarized a Family Dollar store on the 400 block of William Street on Monday morning. The district attorney's office said Ramos allegedly entered the closed store through a broken front door and when he was confronted by responding police officers he attempted to flee out of a rear door but was taken into custody. Ramos was arraigned on one count of third-degree burglary, one count of second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and one count of attempted petit larceny. He was held without bail.
55-year-old Luiman Velez of Buffalo allegedly burglarized a Dollar Tree store located on the 1300 block of Broadway on Tuesday night. The district attorney's office said BPD officers allegedly observed Velez enter the closed store through a broken door and attempt to steal various items. He was arraigned on one count of third-degree burglary and one count of attempted petit larceny. He is scheduled to return for a felony hearing on January 3. Bail was set at $1,500 cash, bond, property or partially secured bond.
34-year-old Shaniece Jones of Buffalo was arraigned on one count of third-degree criminal trespass. The district attorney's office said BPD officers responded to the Family Dollar store located on the 2500 block of Bailey Avenue on Tuesday night and allegedly observed Jones inside the store. Jones is accused of knowingly entering and remaining unlawfully inside of the store. Jones is scheduled to return on January 11 and was released on her own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.
57-year-old Aaron Peterson of Buffalo was arraigned on one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and one count of second-degree menacing. The district attorney's office said on Sunday afternoon Peterson allegedly pointed an illegal gun at the victim near the Family Dollar store on the 900 block of Jefferson Avenue. He is scheduled to return on December 30 for a felony hearing. Bail was set at $25,000 cash, bond or partially secured bond.