Modified: May 21, 2016 12:31pm
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that a Grand Jury has indicted Timothy DiCenzo, 33 of Buffalo, on two counts of Predatory Sexual Assault, one count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree and one count of Rape in the First Degree.
The indictment stems from the November 3, 2015 daylight rape of a woman near Hillery Park Elementary School and a May 7, 2013 rape of a woman at Southside Elementary School.
DiCenzo was identified as the perpetrator in both rapes after DNA testing positively linked him to the crimes. Following his arrest, police attempted to interview DiCenzo, but were unable to do so when he flung himself from the third story interview room window at police headquarters.
DiCenzo pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller.
DA Flaherty praised the work of the Buffalo Police Detectives in the Sex Offense Squad and made special mention of the patrol officers of the Buffalo Police Department’s A District.
“The big break in this case, in developing the defendant as a suspect, came from the patrol officers and their supervisors who are engaged in and familiar with the communities they protect,” says Acting DA Flaherty. “Because these officers consistently take the time to talk to the residents on a daily basis and to care about the people who live there and what goes on, they were quickly able to focus in on a suspect that DNA testing confirmed to be the rapist.”
Special Victims Bureau Chief Rosanne E. Johnson and Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty are prosecuting the case.
As are all people accused of a crime, the defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.