Teen sentenced for committing two separate carjacking-related crimes in Cheektowaga

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 18-year-old Josue Lubala of Cheektowaga was sentenced on Thursday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to 8½ years in prison followed by six years of post-release supervision.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, police responded to the area of Broadway and Wick Street in the City of Buffalo after receiving a report of a kidnapping. The victim reported that, at approximately 10:45 a.m., she was about to leave Cheektowaga Town Park with a 2-year-old child when she was approached by the defendant near Harlem Road and Greenleaf Lane. The defendant, while armed with a knife, abducted the victim by forcing her into the passenger seat of her vehicle. The defendant drove to Wick Street, where he allowed the victim and the toddler to exit the vehicle. The defendant then fled in the victim’s vehicle.

The following day, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at approximately 9:27 a.m., Cheektowaga Police responded to another reported carjacking incident in the parking lot near the Alexander Community Center at Cheektowaga Town Park. The second female victim was sitting in the front passenger seat when the defendant entered through the driver’s side of the vehicle. The defendant attempted to rob and kidnap the victim by threatening her with a knife. The victim was able to escape and run for help. A witness called 911 and reported the incident to police. Cheektowaga Police officers located the defendant on Walden Avenue a short time later and arrested him after a brief chase.

Lubala pleaded guilty, as charged, to all counts in the indictment against him on March 2, 2023.

√ One count of robbery in the first degree (class “B” violent felony)

√ Two counts of kidnapping in the second degree (class “B” violent felonies)

√ One count of attempted kidnapping in the second degree (class “C” felony)

√ One count of attempted robbery in the first degree (class “C” felony)

As part of the sentence, Judge Case issued final orders of protection of behalf of the victims.

DA Flynn commends the Cheektowaga Police Department for its work in these investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Peter M. Pinelli of the felony trials bureau.