Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Gary E. White, also known as Gary Johnson, 60, of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to three counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “D” felonies), one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree and one count of Petit Larceny (Class “A” misdemeanors). The defendant pleaded guilty to all counts in the indictment.
On January 16, 2023, the defendant knowingly entered and remained unlawfully inside of the Walden Galleria in the Town of Cheektowaga with the intent to commit a crime. The defendant stole a large quantity of merchandise from a department store located inside of the shopping mall by exiting without paying for the items. The defendant knowingly violated a no trespass order issued after a prior shoplifting incident.
On January 23, 2023, the defendant stole sweatshirts, hoodies and jackets from the same department store at the Walden Galleria by exiting without paying for the items. The stolen merchandise, valued at approximately $5,048, was recovered in the parking lot as the defendant fled.
On April 20, 2023, the defendant stole shoes, clothing and other merchandise from multiple retailers inside of the Walden Galleria. A store manager witnessed the shoplifting incident and called 911. A responding Cheektowaga Police officer found stolen merchandise inside of the defendant’s bag.
White faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced as a second felony offender on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. At the time of sentencing, the People will request the Court to order the defendant to sign a trespass notice for each retailer, which rescinds his legal privilege to enter the stores. White remains held without bail.
DA Keane commends Detective Michael Curtis and Officers Bradford Hebeler, Lenore Kukoleca and Michelle Wojtkowiak of the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in these investigations.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau and member of the Organized Retail Crime Task Force.