Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 18-year-old Josue Lubala of Town of Cheektowaga was arraigned this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with the following offenses:

• One count of Robbery in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
• Two counts of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felonies)
• One count of Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony)
• One count of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony)

It is alleged that on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, police responded to the area of Broadway and Wick Street in the City of Buffalo after receiving a report of a kidnapping. The victim reported that at approximately 10:45 a.m., she and a two-year-old child were about to leave Cheektowaga Town Park when she was approached by the defendant near Harlem Road and Greenleaf Lane. The defendant, while armed with a knife, is accused of abducting the victim by forcing her into the passenger seat of her vehicle. The defendant allegedly drove to Wick Street where he allowed the victim and the toddler to exit the vehicle. The defendant allegedly fled in the victim’s vehicle.

It is further alleged that the following day, Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at approximately 9:27 a.m., Cheektowaga Police responded to another reported carjacking incident in the parking lot near the Alexander Community Center at Cheektowaga Town Park. The second female victim was sitting in the front passenger seat when the defendant allegedly entered through the driver’s side of the vehicle. The defendant is accused of attempting to rob and kidnap the victim by threatening her with a knife. The victim was able to escape and run for help. A witness called 911 and reported the incident to police. Cheektowaga Police officers located the defendant on Walden Avenue a short time later and arrested him after a brief chase.

Lubala is scheduled to return on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to be held without bail.

If convicted of the highest charges, Lubala faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. 

DA Flynn commends the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in these investigations.

Both cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Peter M. Pinelli of the Felony Trials Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.