(WNY News Now) – Cheektowaga – A Cheektowaga man has been sentenced to prison for a violent attempted armed robbery that escalated into a gunfight at a local pawn shop.
Jaquail A. Yamani, a 30-year-old resident of Cheektowaga, was sentenced to 5 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision for his role in an attempted armed robbery at a pawn shop on Walden Avenue. Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio delivered the sentence, concluding a case that involved a tense shootout and a multi-agency investigation.
The incident occurred on May 1, 2023, around 3:57 p.m., when Yamani entered the pawn shop under the pretense of selling a laptop and a Bluetooth speaker. Wearing a face mask, he was soon joined by two other masked individuals. Yamani then brandished an illegal handgun, demanding property from the shop’s employee. The situation quickly escalated as the victim pushed the gun away, retreated, and drew his licensed firearm. A gunfight ensued, with both sides exchanging multiple rounds. Yamani and one of his accomplices shot through the front window to escape, but no injuries were reported.
Yamani was later connected to the crime through video surveillance, license plate readers, and the abandoned laptop. Seeking medical attention for a gunshot wound at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, he was apprehended and charged. In June 2024, he pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane praised the collaborative efforts of the Cheektowaga Police Department, New York State Police, and Erie Police Department for their thorough investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ryan M. Flaherty and Nicholas Marino of the Felony Trials Bureau.
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