Buffalo man pleads guilty to kidnapping woman in Cheektowaga

Monday June 3, 2024 4:10 p.m.

Submitted by the Erie County Prosecutor’s Office

Acting Erie County Prosecutor Michael J. Keane announced that Abel Gebrehawaria, 24, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller, to one count of kidnapping in the second degree (class “B” felony). The accused pleaded guilty to the only charge contained in the indictment.

Early in the morning of Saturday, March 2, 2024, the defendant attacked the victim as she exited her vehicle in the driveway of a residence in the Town of Cheektowaga. The defendant kidnapped the victim by dragging her into his vehicle parked in the street. The defendant, who was not known to the victim, pushed her into the back seat and left. During the kidnapping, the victim grabbed the steering wheel, causing the defendant to drive his SUV onto the sidewalk of George Urban Boulevard. The victim managed to escape and reported the incident to the police.

Gebrehawaria faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Friday, August 23. He remains free on a previously posted $250,000 bond.

Keane commends Chief Brian Coons, Lt. Justin Haag, Det. Eric Derby and members of the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Mattle of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Office and Assistant District Attorney Mitchell C. Boughton of the Justice Courts Office.