Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 38-year old Edward T. Turner of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with one count of Robbery in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) and one count of Robbery in the Second Degree (Class “C’ violent felony).

It is alleged that on November 13, 2021, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the defendant entered a business on West Chippewa Street near Delaware Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant allegedly reached into his jacket pocket, gestured to the employee that he was in possession of a weapon and demanded money from the cash register. The defendant is accused of forcibly stealing an unknown amount of money by reaching over the counter and grabbing cash from the open register.

It is also alleged that on October 27, 2021, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the defendant stole several bottles of cologne from a store on Amelia Drive in the Town of Orchard Park by leaving without paying for the merchandise. The employees allegedly witnessed the crime, observed the defendant in the parking lot and contacted the police.

It is further alleged that outside of the store, the defendant entered the backseat of an occupied vehicle in the parking lot and made threatening statements toward the female victim. The defendant allegedly got into the driver’s seat and attempted to drive away while the victim’s children were inside of the vehicle. All of the children were able to get out safely before the defendant allegedly fled in the victim’s car. The following day, the stolen vehicle was found abandoned on Georgia Street in the City of Buffalo. Investigators allegedly found a bottle of cologne, packaged with the security tag still attached, inside of the victim’s vehicle.

The defendant was remanded without bail. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.

If convicted of the charges, Turner faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and Orchard Park Police Department for their work in these investigations.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Rebecca A. Fioravanti and Nicholas C. Bussi 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.