Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Yoandry A. Paulino-Tejada, 31, and Christhian O. Valdez-Ruiz, 42, both of Yonkers, New York, have been arraigned before Amherst Town Court Justice Ann Nichols. Both defendants are charged with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of Burglar Tools (Class “A” misdemeanors) and one count of Attempted Petit Larceny (Class “B” misdemeanor).
It is alleged that on Friday, May 30, 2025, at approximately 5:25 a.m., Amherst Police responded to a report of suspicious activity outside of a restaurant on the 9500 block of Transit Road where they encountered both defendants. The defendants are accused of attempting to steal cooking grease from a commercial contained located behind the restaurant. Officers allegedly found a screwdriver and a large quantity of cooking grease during a search of their vehicle. Both defendants were issued appearance tickets to be arraigned on a later date.
Paulino-Tejada and Valdez-Ruiz are scheduled to return on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. Both defendants were released on their own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, the maximum sentence is 364 days in jail.
DA Keane commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.