Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 18-year-old Josue Lubala of Town of Cheektowaga was arraigned this morning before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice David M. Stevens on the following offenses:

• One count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
• One count of Robbery in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
• One count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony)
• One count of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)

Lubala was also arraigned before Justice Stevens on the following charges for a second separate incident:

• One count of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
• One count of Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
• One count of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)

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 was about to leave Cheektowaga Town Park with a two-year-old child 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 victims to exit the vehicle then left in the stolen vehicle.

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

Lubala is scheduled to return on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was remanded without bail.

If convicted of the highest charge, Lubala faces a maximum sentence of 25 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.