Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 32-year-old Christopher L. Taylor of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “B” felony).

It is alleged that on August 11, 2021, at approximately 8:58 a.m., the defendant abducted an adult female victim from a parking lot on Pearl Street by forcing her into his vehicle at gunpoint. The defendant is accused of placing a blindfold on the victim and driving her to an unknown residence.

It is further alleged that the defendant drove the victim to two bank locations in the City of Buffalo where he forced the victim to attempt to withdraw money from the ATM.. When the transactions from the victim’s bank account were denied, the defendant drove to Wick Street where he allowed the victim to exit his vehicle.

During the course of the abduction, the defendant allegedly removed the victim’s cell phone and bank card from her purse. The defendant allegedly placed the victim’s purse in a garbage tote on Wick Street.

After the alleged abduction, the victim ran southbound on Wick Street toward Broadway where she found an Erie County Sheriff’s Office deputy and reported the incident.

Taylor is scheduled to return on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. for motions. He remains held without bail.

If convicted of all charges, Taylor faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.       

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas C. Bussi of the Felony Trials Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.