Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Stephen Watkins of Buffalo has been sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski to five years in prison for an attempted robbery at an NFTA rail station.

On April 22, 2017, at about 1:45 p.m., Watkins and co-defendant Gerald Robinson attempted to rob a man at the NFTA LaSalle Rail Station in Buffalo as the victim was on his way home from the grocery store. The victim tried to run away, but the defendants caught up to him and Watkins began hitting the victim about the head and body.  The victim was eventually able to free himself and pushed a call button for the NFTA police, who were able to locate the two defendants. The incident was captured on NFTA surveillance video.

Watkins and Robinson pleaded guilty to Attempted Robbery.

Robinson was previously sentenced to a one-year term of incarceration.

DA Flynn credits the outstanding investigative work of NFTA Police Officers Shawn McDonnel and Nicholas Cacciatore.

Assistant District Attorney Erin E. Hart prosecuted the case.