Benz Buying Burglar Tries to Browbeat Victim

Modified: April 4, 2014 3:50pm

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3/11/2014

 

Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announces that 30 year-old Maurice Brice of 65 Persons Street in the City of Buffalo pleaded guilty as charged to Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree and Intimidating a Witness in the 3rd Degree, all felonies, before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio. These are the highest charges for which Brice could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Brice was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Brice’s convictions stem from two related incidents.

On March 26, 2012, having gained knowledge that a female acquaintance had withdrawn a large sum of money from the bank, Brice burglarized that woman’s residence and stole her money. Brice used a portion of the ill-begotten proceeds to purchase a Mercedes Benz for himself.

On July 1, 2013, after he had been arrested for the burglary, arraigned and released on bail by the court, Brice tried to “convince” the victim not to cooperate. Specifically, Brice confronted the victim and threatened the life her life as well as that of her family, should she testify. When his initial effort of persuasion proved unsuccessful, Brice took out a gun and fired twice. Luckily, the victim was not injured. 

No stranger to the criminal justice system, Brice has a lengthy criminal record, including felony convictions for narcotics possession (in May 2007 and August 2006) and 2nd degree robbery (April 2000). Brice also has six misdemeanor convictions.  Brice faces up to 30 years in state prison when he sentenced by Judge DiTullio on April 21, 2014.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian Langenfeld, who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Felony Trial Bureau. DA Sedita also lauded the efforts of Buffalo Police Department Detective Molly Sanford in investigating the case. DA Sedita stated: “Once again, a defendant attempted to avoid justice by intimidating the victim. This office will not tolerate such despicable conduct and will prosecute such cowardly thugs to the fullest extent of the law. Because of the bravery of victim, as well as the dedication of Detective Sanford and ADA Langenfeld, another career criminal will likely spend many years behind bars.”