Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports Deputies Szczepanski and Mulhern responded to a Jamison Road address in the Town of Elma for reports of a possible robbery where the subject pepper sprayed the victims and stole a car Sunday around 6:30 p.m.

When Deputy Szczepanski arrived at the residence he was met by a male covered with an orange tint, swollen face and short of breath – all consistent with someone who has been sprayed by pepper spray.  The male victim briefly described the attack and indicated a female victim was located at the rear of the residence. 

It was reported to the Deputy that Raymond Skibicki, 24, of Elma somehow gained access to the residence and sprayed the victims inside the dwelling.  After spraying the victims, Skibicki reportedly took the male victim’s wallet, cell phone, and the keys to his car.  Skibicki took the car and headed off in an unknown direction. As Deputy Szczepanski attended to the victims, Deputy Mulhern checked the surrounding area for the stolen vehicle.

With first aid personnel now tending to the victims, Deputy Szczepanski followed a trail of fresh tire marks leading away from the dwelling to a cliff behind the residence; there the Deputy located the stolen vehicle but did not locate the subject.

Deputy Mulhern made contact with Skibicki and the suspect turned himself into the Elma Substation around 8 p.m.  Sheriff’s Detectives charged Skibicki with felony counts of grand larceny – credit cards, robbery – causing physical injury, grand larceny – auto, and misdemeanor counts of assault, unlawful possession of a noxious matter, and petit larceny.

The Defendant is held at the Erie County Holding center pending his arraignment Monday evening in Elma Town Court.

Erie County Sheriff’s Detectives continue to investigate the incident.