Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 36-year-old Christopher Boyd of Buffalo has been arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on an indictment charging him with two counts of Burglary in the First Degree, three counts of Robbery in the First Degree, one count of Assault in the First Degree, one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and one count of Resisting Arrest. 

It is alleged that on September 4, 2016 around 11 p.m. at Zoe Restaurant, 5711 Transit Road in the Town of Clarence, the defendant robbed and shot 44-year-old Alexander J. Pozantidis, the restaurant owner, as he was leaving with the proceeds of the day. Pozantidis was struck in the arm and chest, but survived the assault. 

It is alleged that on July 28, 2016, the defendant burglarized a home on Riverside Drive in Buffalo and assaulted the homeowner. Later that same day, Boyd is accused of a carjacking in Buffalo where he stole a vehicle from a woman at gunpoint. 

On November 9, 2016, when Buffalo Police Officers, NYSP and parole officers located Boyd at a local deli, they say he was armed with a gun and resisted arrest. 

Boyd pleaded not guilty and was remanded to jail without bail.  If convicted of all the charges, he faces a maximum of 90 years to life in prison. 

DA Flynn commends Buffalo Police Department Detectives Edwin Perez and Pam Harris, as well as NYSP and the NYS Department of Parole. 

Chief Paul C. Parisi of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit and Assistant District Attorney Frank A. Strano are prosecuting the case. 

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