Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 78-year-old Robert Closs of Buffalo has been arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo-Torres on one count each of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, Grand Larceny in the 4^th Degree, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, and various vehicle and traffic charges.

It is alleged that on March 6, 2019, the defendant did take a Buffalo Police patrol vehicle without permission when officers were investigating a call of neighbor trouble.  Officers advised the defendant to stop but the defendant continued driving.  While in the patrol vehicle the defendant was driving at a high rate of speed violating many traffic laws and causing a number of accidents and injuries.

The defendant was remanded pending a forensic examination.  Upon completion of a forensic examination bail will be set at $10,000 cash or property. He is scheduled to return on March 20 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings.

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