Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 60-year-old Clay Rhodes, Jr. of Buffalo has been sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to a determinate sentence of 10 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On May 27, 2018, at approximately 11:55 p.m., the elderly female victim was returning to her home on Owahn Place in the City of Buffalo when the defendant grabbed her purse and violently pushed her to the ground. The victim fell, fracturing her pelvis in two places and slamming her head on the concrete. The defendant ran off with the victim’s purse.

Neighbors, who heard the victim’s screams, observed the defendant climb a fence and enter their backyard. One of the neighbors chased after the defendant while on the phone with a 911 operator.

After a brief search of the area, police were able to locate the defendant who matched the description given by the Good Samaritan.

In December 2018, Rhodes pleaded guilty, as charged, to one count of Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony, and one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class “D” felony. The defendant, a prior felony offender, pleaded guilty to all charges in the indictment against him.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work by the Buffalo Police Department, including Officers Jocko Mondal and Ian Baker as well as Detective James McMahon.

Also, DA Flynn commends the neighbor whose quick actions assisted police in identifying and arresting the defendant.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew S. Szalkowski of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.