Buffalo man sentenced for burglarizing store during blizzard

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 47-year-old Felix Ramos of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Betty Calvo-Torres to two to four years direct to parole. As part of the sentence, Ramos was mandated to complete a 90-day in-patient drug treatment program followed by six months in a residential treatment program before he is released under parole supervision.

On Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, at approximately 8:04 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a Family Dollar store on the 400 block of William Street in the City of Buffalo while it was closed due to a snowstorm. The defendant entered through a broken front door with the intent to steal items. When confronted by responding officers, the defendant attempted to run out of a rear door, but was taken into custody by police.

Ramos pleaded guilty to one count of burglary in the third degree (class “D” felony) on Oct. 2. The defendant pleaded guilty to the only count in the indictment against him on the day that his non-jury trial was scheduled to begin.

As part of his sentence, Justice Calvo-Torres ordered the defendant to stay away from all Family Dollar stores.

“I am pleased to announce that this defendant pleaded guilty to the highest charge for attempting to loot a store while our police officers and first responders were trying to save lives during this horrific storm,” Flynn said. “This was not a crime of desperation, but crime of opportunity to steal from a store that was closed due to the blizzard.”

Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department anti-looting task force for its work in this investigation. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Briana R.D. Kalman of the felony trials bureau.