(WNY News Now) – Cheektowaga – Abel Gebrehawaria, 24, of Buffalo, has been sentenced to five years in state prison followed by five years of post-release supervision for kidnapping a woman in the Town of Cheektowaga. State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller issued the sentence this morning, after Gebrehawaria pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree kidnapping, a Class B felony, in June.
Background
The kidnapping occurred in the early hours of March 2, 2024. According to Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane, Gebrehawaria attacked the woman as she exited her car in a residential driveway. He forced her into his vehicle, which was parked nearby, and drove away. Despite the traumatic circumstances, the victim acted quickly by grabbing the steering wheel, forcing the vehicle off the road onto the curb of George Urban Boulevard. This brave move allowed her to escape and immediately contact the authorities.
Gebrehawaria was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping, the highest charge sustained by the indictment. His guilty plea in June avoided a lengthy trial. Along with his prison sentence, a final order of protection was issued for the victim, set to remain in effect until September 2037.
Acting DA Keane praised the victim for her courage, saying, “While no person should ever be subjected to this kind of attack, I applaud the victim for her courage to take action, which allowed her to escape her abductor. Her strength to report the incident to police and her confidence to confront the defendant in court ensured his conviction for this crime. I commend her for sharing her traumatic experience to inform the public and organizing self-defense classes in our community in an effort to keep other women safe,”
The case was investigated by the Cheektowaga Police Department, with commendation going to Chief Brian Coons, Lieutenant Justin Haag, Detective Eric Derby, and their team. Nicole Haffa, a victim advocate, was also recognized for supporting the victim throughout the legal process.
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