Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 51-year-old Peter P. Christopher of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Phillip Dabney, Jr. on 91 counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree and 91 counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felonies).
The defendant was given an appearance ticket to be arraigned on Thursday, July 6, 2023. A bench warrant was issued after the defendant failed to appear for arraignment. The defendant was returned on the warrant yesterday after he was arrested for allegedly committing another theft-related crime.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at approximately 6:46 a.m., the defendant was arrested while trespassing at an auto parts store on Clinton Street and New Babcock Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of intentionally causing damage to a vehicle while attempting to remove and steal the exhaust system.
The defendant was also arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Samuel Davis on one count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felonies), one count of Possession of Burglar Tools (Class “A” misdemeanor) and one count of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree (Class “B” misdemeanor).
A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.
Our office requested that the defendant be remanded as he is accused of committing the crimes while released on a pending felony case. The defendant was released under supervision.
Christopher, who has outstanding warrants from Cheektowaga Town Court, has two additional pending criminal cases in Buffalo City Court.
On February 21, 2023, the defendant was arraigned before Judge Davis on one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony) and one count of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree (Class “B” misdemeanor).
It is alleged that on or about Monday, January 23, 2023, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the defendant, while acting in concert with another unidentified individual, stole approximately 60 metal rims, valued at approximately $2,480.00, from a business on Tifft Street in the City of Buffalo.
At his arraignment, a temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim. Christopher was released on his own recognizance. On July 5, 2023, a bench warrant was issued after the defendant failed to appear for a scheduled court date.
On February 7, 2023, Christopher was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Shannon M. Heneghan on one count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony) and one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony).
It is alleged that on Monday, February 6, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the defendant, while aided by another individual, intentionally damaged an air machine, valued at approximately $3,000, located outside of business on the 600 block of East Ferry Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of committing the crime in order to steal the change, valued at approximately $500, inside of the machine.
Christopher was released on his own recognizance. On June 29, 2023, a bench warrant was issued after the defendant failed to appear for a scheduled return court date.
Christopher is scheduled to return for further proceedings on all four cases on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in these investigations.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit and Assistant District Attorney Margaret D. Christ of the Buffalo City Court Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.