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Grand jury indicts Henry Street suspect
By John J. Hopkins
An Erie County grand jury on Monday indicted a suspect believed to have been involved in three home invasions that occurred in the Henry Street neighborhood between October 2005 and March 2006.
Times
Fabian T. Jones, 17, was indicted on 16 counts of criminal activity including first degree burglary, first and second degree robbery and drug possession.
The charges could send Jones to prison for up to 50 years. Jones remains in jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.
Jones is believed to be one of two armed suspects who entered and ransacked two Henry Street homes and a residence on Veterans Place.
In the first incident, an 82-yearold Henry Street man and his 72year-old sister were tied up on October 4 and held at gunpoint before they told the invaders where their money was hidden. The duo fled after taking about $9,000.
The second Henry Street incident occurred on November 16. During that invasion, an 80-year-old woman was terrorized and the suspects threatened to cut off her fingers as they ransacked the home.
Cheektowaga police captured Jones on March 26 after they received a phone call from the Veterans Place victim reporting that someone was trying to break into her home.
The suspects fled when they learned that she had called police, but not before striking her with a gun and stealing cash.
Cheektowaga police swarmed into the area, and a chase ensued after a Rural/Metro ambulance driver notified police when he observed a man running across William Street near Harlem Road.
The man- Jones- was chased into Wrazen Park in Sloan where he was apprehended, with the help of Cheektowaga Police K-9 dog Iozo.
Police charged Jones in the Veterans Place case, and quickly linked him to the Henry Street crimes.
"Obviously it's a case we're still actively working, in identifying the additional one or two suspects involved," said Cheektowaga Detective Captain Jim Morath, who added Jones has not cooperated with police in naming the other suspects.
Jones is next scheduled to appear in Erie County Court on August 23.
The full set of 15 felony charges and one misdemeanor include:
Three counts of burglary in the first degree. These charges allege that a firearm was displayed in all three incidents during which Jones entered a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime.
Four counts of robbery in the first degree, levied because a firearm was displayed during forcible stealing.
Four counts of robbery in the second degree. These charges are possible because Jones allegedly had an accomplice.
Two counts of burglary in the first degree for using or threatening the immediate use of a dangerous instrument.
Two counts of robbery in the first degree, for the use or threat of immediate use of a dangerous instrument.
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, which is a misdemeanor for knowingly and unlawfully possessing a controlled substance.
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