Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 23-year-old Saquan P. Young of Rochester was arraigned on Friday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Peter J. Savage, III on three separate criminal cases.

It is alleged that on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at approximately 12:50 a.m., the defendant approached the door of a closed store on the 600 block of Prospect Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant allegedly yelled at the employees who were still inside of the store then slashed all four tires of one of the victim’s vehicles in the parking lot. The defendant was located a short time later by Buffalo Police on Niagara Street where he was allegedly found in possession of a knife and a small amount of suspected cocaine. The alleged crime occurred during a blizzard last month.

Young was charged with one count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (Class “E” felony), one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors). The defendant was given an appearance ticket to be arraigned on December 30, 2022. A bench warrant was issued after he failed to appear for the scheduled arraignment.

It is further alleged that on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at approximately 4:09 p.m., the defendant and the male victim were involved in an argument at a residence on Letchworth Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of stabbing the victim in the hands with a pocket knife during a fight. The victim was treated for injuries to both hands.

Young was arrested after the assault. He is charged with one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor). A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.

Young also has a third pending criminal case. He is charged with one count of Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, one count of Resisting Arrest (Class “A” misdemeanors) and one count of Trespass (violation).

It is alleged that on Friday, July 29, 2022, at approximately 7:46 p.m., the defendant prevented Transit Authority Police from performing their lawful duties by refusing multiple commands by police to leave the premises after remaining inside the NFTA Allen Medical Campus Station for no legitimate reason for a period of time. The defendant is accused of actively resisting police officers by refusing to remove his hands from his pockets and commands to place his hands behind his back. The defendant also allegedly refused to provide his date of birth to the police officers.

Young is scheduled to return on all three cases on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. He was held on $5,000 cash, bond or property. 

If convicted of the highest charge, Young faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and the NFTA Transit Authority Police Department for their work in these investigations.

To date, a total of 13 defendants have been arraigned on various charges related to store lootings that occurred during a blizzard last month.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney 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.