2 defendants plead guilty for looting Amherst stores during blizzard

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn on Wednesday announced 37-year-old Quinton D. Jones of Buffalo and 31-year-old Dijon C. Joyner of Buffalo pleaded guilty Tuesday before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to one count of burglary in the third degree (class “D” felony). Both defendants pleaded guilty to the highest charge in full satisfaction of the charges against them.

On Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, at approximately 6:57 p.m., the defendants, along with two other unknown individuals, 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 approximately $20,000 in cash and approximately $25,000 in merchandise. The store was closed at the time of the crime due to the snowstorm. Quinton Jones was later found in possession of some of the stolen merchandise.

On Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, at approximately 6:10 p.m., the defendants 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, valued at approximately $800, and about $33 in change from the cash registers. The store was also closed at the time of the crime due to the blizzard.

Jones and Joyner each face a maximum of seven years in prison when they are sentenced on Monday, July 10, at 2:30 p.m. Both defendants were released under supervision.

“These defendants looted stores while our police and first responders were working to save lives during a horrific snow storm. I am taking these looting cases seriously as these were not crimes of desperation, but crimes of opportunity to burglarize unoccupied stores during a blizzard,” Flynn said.

The DA 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.