Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 50-year-old Jose Mendoza of Buffalo pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class “D” violent felony. The defendant pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

The defendant admitted that on July 17, 2017, he attempted to burglarize a home on Gardenvale Drive in the Town of Cheektowaga. While breaking a window, the defendant cut his hand and bled inside the house. The homeowner reported that two televisions were stolen during the break-in.

The DNA profile derived from the blood evidence was submitted to the state databank. The defendant was identified after he was required to submit a sample due to a misdemeanor conviction from February 2018.

In 2012, the DNA databank requirements expanded, requiring individuals convicted of misdemeanors to provide a DNA sample. Prior to that, only convicted felony offenders were obligated to provide a sample.

Mendoza faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.

DA Flynn commends Detective Mike Strejewski of the Cheektowaga Police Department for his assistance in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian D. Langenfeld of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.