8 People Arrested For Looting During Deadly Storm In Buffalo

Buffalo Police announced that 8 people have been arrested, so far, for allegedly looting during the Blizzard. The arrests were made by the Buffalo Police Department’s Anti-Looting Detail on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said,

People who are out looting when people are losing their lives in this harsh winter storm is just absolutely reprehensible. I don’t know how these people can even live with themselves, how they can look at themselves in the mirror. They are the lowest of the low.

UPDATE: As of just a few minutes ago, Buffalo Police announced that a 9th person was arrested.

There were videos circulating on social media showing people looting various stores during the height of the blizzard when law enforcement was either tied up with rescues or unable to reach certain areas due to conditions.

According to WIVB, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said these people were not taking supplies they needed to stay alive during the blizzard,

This isn’t people stealing food and medicine and diapers. They are destroying stores, they’re stealing televisions, couches, whatever they can get their hands on. They’re opportunists, they’re taking advantage. And all you’re doing is destroying the resource you have.

Credit: WGRZ-TV via Youtube

If you have any information about looting during the blizzard, call the Buffalo Police confidential TIPCALL line at 716-847-2255.

ORIGINAL STORY:

At least two Buffalo businesses were looted during the blizzard. While snow and hurricane-force winds were pummeling the city, thieves took the opportunity to break into businesses. Knowing that the roads were impassable and law enforcement was focused on rescues and emergency operations, some used the opportunity to commit crimes.

During a storm briefing on Sunday, December 26, 2022, Steven A. Nigrelli, the New York State Police Superintendent said,

We have had two confirmed reports of looting incidents where law enforcement has been dispatched and responded. Those are still under investigation as we speak. Those are isolated incidents, and it's not reflective of the great community of Western New York, and I'm sure that they'll be limited to those two incidents or at least that's our hope.

WGRZ reports that they received videos showing looted businesses on Buffalo's west side. It's not clear if these are the same businesses Nigrelli mentioned.
In 2021 (the most up-to-date statistics), there were 16,960 property crimes reported in Erie County - a rate of 1,802.40.

When it comes to thefts - robberies, burglaries, and larcenies - in Buffalo, here are the statistics from the Buffalo Police Department for January through November 2022.

3. Robberies committed (by month) in 2022, so far

52 January
44 February
56 March
42 April
41 May
37 June
37 July
51 August
53 September
44 October
40 November

Total: 497

2. Burglaries committed (by month) in 2022, so far

73 January
79 February
87 March
94 April
102 May
118 June
140 July
126 August
126 September
112 October
85 November

Total: 1142

1. Larcenies committed (by month) in 2022, so far

411 January
365 February
389 March
495 April
457 May
525 June
665 July
614 August
615 September
602 October
409 November

Total: 5547

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