Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 43-year-old Hiram R. Rivera of Dunkirk was virtually arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller, acting as a Collins Town Justice, on the following offenses:

• One count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “B” felony)
• One count of Criminal Use of Firearm in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony)
• One count of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)

It is alleged that on June 8, 2021, at approximately 3:20 p.m., the defendant, who was wanted in connection with a burglary in Chautauqua County, was driving on Route 438 near Versailles Plank Road in the Town of Collins in an attempt to flee from law enforcement when he crashed into another vehicle. After the collision, the defendant allegedly displayed what appeared to be a pistol and forcibly abducted a female passenger from his vehicle.

The defendant is accused of holding the victim against her will for approximately three hours in a nearby wooded area, which placed her in reasonable fear of injury or death. Investigators allegedly recovered an imitation pistol when the defendant was taken into custody.

Justice Boller remanded the defendant without bail. He remains in custody at the Chautauqua County Correctional Facility.

A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.

If convicted of all charges, Rivera faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.      

DA Flynn commends the New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the Seneca Nation of Indians Marshal’s Office for their work in the investigation.  

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