Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 25-year-old Yassin A. Abdikadir of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with the following offenses:

• One count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony)
• One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony)
• One count of Obstructing Emergency Medical Services (Class “A” misdemeanor)

It is alleged that on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at approximately 11:53 p.m., the defendant stole a Buffalo Fire Department Engine 1 truck while firefighters were responding to an emergency medical services call in the area of Main and West Huron Streets. A few minutes after the vehicle was reported stolen, Buffalo Police responded to a report of an abandoned fire truck on Delaware Avenue and Allen Street. The defendant is accused hitting three parked vehicles while unlawfully operating fire truck on city streets, resulting in damage to all vehicles. Shortly after allegedly abandoning the fire truck, the defendant was found nearby, hiding inside of a garbage tote.

Abdikadir is scheduled to return on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains released to the Courts Outreach Unit: Referral & Treatment Services program.

If convicted of the highest charge, Abdikadir faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Brown of the Felon Trials Bureau.

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