Defendant pleads guilty ahead of trial for burglarizing closed 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 pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Betty Calvo-Torres to one count of burglary in the third degree (class “D” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the only count in the indictment against him as his non-jury trial was scheduled to begin.

On Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, at approximately 8:04 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a 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 faces a maximum of seven years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, Nov. 9. He was remanded pending sentence.

“I am pleased to announce that this defendant pleaded guilty, as charged, 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 commended the Buffalo Police Department anti-looting task force for its work in this investigation.

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