Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 31-year-old Amanda R. Turello of Buffalo has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges, acting as a Buffalo City Court Judge, on one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class “D” felony, one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a Class “E” felony, and one count of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the Third Degree, a Class “A” misdemeanor. The defendant was arraigned on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

It is alleged that on April 17, 2020, at approximately 5:04 p.m., the defendant stole a pickup truck that was parked with the engine running outside of a store on Broadway near Bailey Avenue.

A Buffalo Police officer was dispatched to the area and allegedly witnessed the stolen vehicle being driven down Armbruster Street. The officer exited his patrol vehicle as the defendant allegedly stopped then turned the vehicle around. As she attempted to flee the area, the defendant is accused of nearly striking the officer with the stolen vehicle. The officer fired shots at the vehicle, and the defendant was subsequently hit in the left hand. The defendant continued driving the stolen vehicle on to Shepard Street, where she allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Buffalo Police officers found the defendant hiding behind a house.

The defendant was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she received treatment for the non-life threatening injury to her hand.

The actions of the Buffalo Police officer remain under investigation.

Turello is scheduled to return on Monday, June 29, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. She was released on her own recognizance.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Gary W. Hackbush of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.

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