Defendant sentence for looting stores during blizzard

By the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 31-year-old Dijon C. Joyner of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to five years of probation.

On Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, at approximately 6:57 p.m., the defendant, along with co-defendant Quinton D. Jones and two other unknown individuals, knowingly entered and unlawfully remained inside of a store, located on the 3500 block of Main Street in the Town of Amherst, with the intent to commit a burglary. The defendants gained entry to the building by breaking a window with a rock in order to unlock the door. The defendants stole cash and merchandise. The store was closed at the time of the crime due to the snowstorm. Jones was later found in possession of some of the stolen merchandise.

On Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Joyner and Jones knowingly entered and unlawfully remained inside of a pizzeria, located on the 3600 block of Main Street in the Town of Amherst, with the intent to commit a burglary. The defendants gained entry to the building by smashing a window with a rock. The defendants stole food products and change from the cash registers. The store was also closed at the time of the crime due to the blizzard.

Jones and Joyner pleaded guilty to one count of burglary in the third degree (class “D” felony) on April 18, 2023. Both defendants pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

On Sept. 11, 2023, Quinton D. Jones, 37, of Buffalo, was sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to five years of probation.

DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for its work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald of the felony trials bureau.