Buffalo Woman Arraigned for Looting Bailey Avenue Store, Stealing Shoes During Blizzard

Modified: January 9, 2023 2:58pm

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1/9/2023

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 23-year-old Ladia Lee of Buffalo has been arraigned on one count of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony) and one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony). The defendant was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

The defendant is the eighth person to be arraigned for allegedly looting a store, which was closed due to the blizzard and travel ban late last month.

It is alleged that on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at approximately 10:03 p.m., the defendant and another unidentified person knowingly entered and remained unlawfully inside of the store located on the 2800 block of Bailey Avenue in the City of Buffalo with the intent to commit a crime. The defendant and the outstanding co-defendant are accused of stealing shoes valued at approximately $1,000.

Lee is scheduled to return on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. She was released on her own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.

If convicted of the highest charge, Lee faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Anti-Looting Task Force for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Ashley M. Morgan 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.