On November 15, 2016, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in conjunction with the Erie County DA Office arrested Christopher Boyd, 36 of Buffalo, NY for Attempted Murder 1^st degree (2 Counts) (A Felony), Robbery 1^st degree (B Felony), Assault 1^st degree (B Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd degree (C Felony).

On September 4, 2016 at 11:05 pm, Troopers and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) responded to a shooting at Zoe Restaurant, 5711 Transit Road in the Town of Clarence.

The investigation revealed that the owner of the restaurant, Alexander J. Pozantidis, age 44, was closing and leaving with the proceeds from the day when he was robbed and shot twice in the arm in the process. Pozantidis survived the assault.

The dogged determination of our members to include UF/BCI/VFW/VCIT personnel and assisting agencies Buffalo PD, US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force, New York State Parole which culminated in over 285 leads from interviews to area checks then ultimately the location and arrest of the perpetrator and former Zoe employee, Boyd.

Acting on a tip received through Crime Stoppers on November 9, 2016, Boyd was observed entering a corner store in the City of Buffalo. Members entered the store and as they approached Boyd, he began to reach into his waistband to retrieve an unknown weapon. Our members quickly responded to the threat confronted, took action and tackled Boyd before he was able to produce what was discovered to be a .45 caliber handgun. Boyd was handcuffed without incident or injury to either he or our personnel.

“I am grateful for the professional work of NYS Police and Parole who were able to apprehend the armed suspect without injury or loss of life,” says acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. “The State Police investigators have been working around the clock to solve this case and an Erie County Grand Jury will hear the evidence in the near future.”