Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 19-year-old Damari D. Patterson of Buffalo and 20-year-old Nyejay Braction of Buffalo were arraigned on Wednesday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Peter J. Savage, III. Both defendants were charged with the following offenses:
- One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony)
- One count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
- One count of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
It is alleged that on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the defendants were found in possession of a stolen Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. The vehicle was reportedly stolen from outside of a residence in South Buffalo between the late evening of Saturday, June 8 and the early morning of Sunday, June 9. Buffalo Police patrol officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop after locating the vehicle at the intersection of Genesee Street and Fillmore Avenue. The defendants allegedly refused to stop for police then abandoned the vehicle on Maple Ridge Avenue and ran inside of a nearby home in an attempt to evade arrest.
Patterson is scheduled to return on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Prosecutors argued that the defendant should be held on bail pursuant to CPL 510.10(4)(r) for allegedly committing a felony offense while serving a sentence of probation for a prior conviction. Our office requested that the Court set bail at $50,000 cash or bond. Patterson was held on bail set at $10,000 cash or bond.
Braction is also scheduled to return on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Patterson and Braction face a maximum of 4 years in prison.
“This case is an example of great collaboration between law enforcement agencies. Aerial searches are an asset in auto theft investigations and aid in the quick apprehension of the suspects. Stealing a motor vehicle is a serious crime. To address this issue, I’ve dedicated a team of prosecutors to these cases to hold the offenders, especially the repeat offenders, accountable for their crimes. If you are caught stealing a vehicle in Erie County, you will be prosecuted,” said Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Milton D. Gordon of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.