String of break-ins puts WNY on edge

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A series of violent break-ins has Buffalo homeowners on edge. The first occurred Christmas night along Farmer Street in the city's Black Rock section.

Police say two armed men wearing hoodies overpowered a couple in their home and demanded money. The man and woman were not injured and the two intruders fled on foot.

Early Saturday morning, police reported three men - one armed with a shotgun - kicked in the door of an apartment here on Grant Street, and terrorized the two women inside. But the women told detectives after that violent incident, the men left empty-handed.

Later Saturday morning, another break-in was reported on West Delavan. Three armed men robbed six people at gunpoint, assaulting the men with the butt end of a shotgun.

Then Sunday morning, a man on Colvin Avenue near Hertel told police an intruder pulled a gun on him and made off with a bag containing $24,000 cash.

Were these random break-ins or pre-planned?

Councilman Joseph Golombek said, "The overwhelming majority of the home invasions are not random acts. They are not going up to somebody's house and kicking in the door, saying, 'Hey, let's see what we can find here.'"

Two of the four break-ins occurred in Councilman's Joe Golombek's North District. He says he knows many western New Yorkers are on edge after a violent home invasion last month on the city's east side that left a 96-year-old war veteran severely beaten, and hospitalized.

But authorities suspect all the victims in this rash of home invasions were specifically targeted.

"Somebody walks in at 4:00 and there is somebody in the house, because they think you work until 5:00 - they usually skedaddle," Golombek said, "They don't go in when there is somebody home, and that usually just shows you that it is some sort of organized crime."

No one has been arrested for any of these break-ins, including last month's beating of 96-year-old Levi Clayton on Longview Avenue. And police are asking for your help.

If you can help solve any of these crimes, call or text the Buffalo Police Tip Line at 847-2255.