Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces three additional arrests for crimes that occurred in the City of Buffalo and Town of Amherst during a major snowstorm last month. As of today, a total of 11 defendants have been arraigned on various charges related to store lootings.

Walter L. Hicks-Jones, 34, of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Rebecca Town on one count of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree (Class “B” misdemeanor).

It is alleged that on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at approximately 8:01 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a reported burglary at a dollar store located on the 2500 block of Bailey Avenue. The defendant is accused of knowingly entering and remaining unlawfully inside of the store, which was closed at the time of the incident due to the blizzard.

Hicks-Jones is scheduled to return on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. He was released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.

If convicted of the charge, Hicks-Jones faces a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail.

John E. Harber, Jr., 26, of Cheektowaga was arraigned before Amherst Town Court Justice Kara Buscaglia on Monday, December 26, 2022. Harber is charged with one count of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony) and one count of Criminal Facilitation in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor).

It is alleged that during the early morning hours of Monday, December 26, 2022, the defendant, while acting in concert with co-defendant Shaquille Chillis, burglarized a business located on the 3500 block of Main Street in the Town of Amherst. Defendant Harber is accused of driving Chillis to the store with the intent to commit a burglary by acting as the getaway vehicle. Defendant Chillis is accused of knowingly entering and remaining unlawfully inside of the closed store by entering through a broken window. Defendant Harber allegedly waited inside of his vehicle in the parking lot during the commission of the crime. Harber allegedly drove away as police entered the store to investigate, but was stopped a short time later on Main Street.

His co-defendant, Shaquille A. Chillis, 29, of Buffalo was also arraigned before Justice Buscaglia on December 26, 2022. Chillis is charged with one count of Burglary in the Third Degree and one count of Attempted Petit Larceny (Class “B” misdemeanor).  

The defendant is accused of knowingly entering and remaining unlawfully inside of the store with the intent to steal merchandise. The defendant allegedly attempted to steal shoes from the business. The defendant was taken into custody without incident when confronted by responding police officers in the rear stock room of the store.

Harber and Chillis are scheduled to return on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Both remain released under supervision.

If convicted of the highest charge, Harber and Chillis face a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Anti-Looting Task Force and the Amherst Police Department for their work in these investigations.

The cases are being prosecuted by Chief Ashley M. Morgan 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