BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two teens were arrested and a stolen Kia was recovered in the area of Crossman Avenue on Tuesday morning after a woman was robbed at gunpoint, Buffalo Police told News 4.
A viewer sent in shocking video of the incident Tuesday morning that occurred on Mills Street.
In doorbell camera footage, a person can be seen getting out of the Kia at approximately 8:15 a.m., and approaching a woman outside of a home. A teen appears to point a gun at the woman, who was holding a small child, and demanding her purse before speeding off.
In the video, the woman can be heard pleading for her ID as the teen takes her purse, but the two refuse and drive away. Police said the two boys, a 17-year-old and a 13-year-old, along with another unidentified person, made off with a purse and a cell phone.
Police also allege a second attempted robbery that occurred around 8:50 a.m., attempting to rob a person at a bus stop on Genesee Street and Roslyn Street in Buffalo. The 17-year-old allegedly fled the scene without the victim’s property. The teens were arrested on Crossman Ave. just a short distance from where the stolen Kia was found on Domedion Ave.
“When there’s no discipline in the system, then you’re going to keep acting bad,” DA John Flynn said. “Until these kids see their buddies at East Ferry locked up, then there’s nothing to cause them pause.”
Police said the vehicle was stolen in the City of Buffalo on Monday night and the incident is still under investigation.
On Wednesday, the Erie County DA’s office said the 17-year-old, who was allegedly driving the car, was arraigned on charges of robbery, attempted robbery criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Bail was originally set at $100,000 Tuesday night, but on Wednesday, the district attorney says the judge lowered the bail to $10,000. The 17-year-old was released Wednesday evening after posting bond.
“On other things that cross the line and are more dangerous and more serious you can’t give them a second chance,” Flynn said. “He can get out now on a bond for 10 percent, which is $1,000.”
The 13-year-old was a backseat passenger, according to the district attorney. He says the front seat passenger who shoved the gun in the mother’s face is still at large and has not been arrested.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia says his officers remain on the front lines trying to combat these crimes committed by teens and a group called ‘The Kia Boys’. He added that the stolen car rate in the city was the highest on record in June 2023, but has since decreased by 27% in July and an additional 17% so far in August.
“Among one of the first things they tell our officers is, ‘Just give me my appearance ticket so I can go’ and that’s a problem,” Gramaglia said. “There’s no consequence within their mindset of ‘Jeez I just got in trouble I better not do this again’ no they are right back at it again. If we arrest them again, we repeat the same process. It’s kind of the definition of insanity.”
Councilman Mitch Nowakowski says this type of crime is unacceptable in his district, but stopping this group of teens will be a tough task.
“It’s a very complex social problem that involves the Buffalo Public Schools, this involves after school programs, this involves community centers, this involves state and local governments,” Nowakowski told News 4.
A third unidentified suspect is still at large. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Buffalo Police.
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.
Emily Miller is a digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2022. See more of her work here.
Tara Lynch is a Buffalo native and Emmy nominated reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2022. She previously worked at WETM in Elmira, N.Y., a sister station of News 4. You can follow Tara on Facebook and Twitter and find more of her work here.
