Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 31-year-old Cedric Townes of Buffalo has been sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to 10 years in prison followed by 5 years post-release supervision. His co-defendant 23-year-old Vlado Mihallofski of Lackawanna was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison followed by 5 years post-release supervision.

On August 19, 2017, the defendants, who were wearing masks, unlawfully entered a home on Schultz Road in the Town of Hamburg. While inside, the defendants tied and strangled the homeowner before leaving with various personal items, including a television, jewelry, cell phones and food.

In May 2018, Townes pleaded guilty to Robbery in the First Degree. Townes also pleaded guilty to Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree in an unrelated matter in the City of Buffalo. Mihallofski pleaded guilty to Attempted Robbery in the First Degree.

DA Flynn commends the thorough investigative work of Detective Scott Fraser of the Town of Hamburg Police Department.

Assistant District Attorney Erin E. Hart of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau prosecuted the case.