Defendant pleads guilty ahead of trial for attempted armed robberies targeting convenience stores

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 35-year-old Cesarick Merritt of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday to three counts of attempted robbery in the first degree (class “C” violent felonies). The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges in full satisfaction of the indictment ahead of trial, which was scheduled to begin with jury selection tomorrow.

On Dec. 5, 2021, at approximately 5:45 a.m., the defendant attempted to forcibly steal $83 cash and 259 lottery tickets from a convenience store on the 400 block of Abbott Road in the City of Buffalo after he displayed what appeared to be a handgun at the clerk.

Later the same morning, at approximately 6:01 a.m., the defendant attempted to forcibly steal an unknown amount of cash and lottery tickets from a convenience store on the 1000 block of Walden Avenue in the Town of Cheektowaga after he displayed what appeared to be a pistol at the clerk.

On Dec. 10, 2021, at approximately 10:39 p.m., the defendant attempted to forcibly steal 14 packs of cigarettes from a convenience store on the 1000 block of East Lovejoy Street in the City of Buffalo after he displayed what appeared to be a pistol at the clerk.

Merritt faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on June 4. The defendant is out of custody pending sentence after posting bail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department, Cheektowaga Police Department and the Erie County Crime Analysis Center for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Briana R.D. Kalman of the felony trials bureau and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca A. Fioravanti of the special victims/domestic violence bureau.