(WNY News Now) – HAMBURG, N.Y. – A Lake View man was arraigned Tuesday on felony charges after allegedly unlawfully entering a Town of Hamburg building and stealing tools.

Nathaniel S. Rivera, 35, was arraigned before Hamburg Town Court Justice Carl W. Morgan on one count of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class D felony) and Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class E felony), according to Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane.

Prosecutors allege that on March 7, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Rivera unlawfully entered a building on the 2700 block of Lakeview Road and stole tools valued at approximately $1,034.52 from the Town of Hamburg Highway Department and Buildings & Grounds Department.

Rivera was released on his own recognizance since the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. He is scheduled to return to court for a felony hearing on April 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. If convicted of the highest charge, he faces up to seven years in prison.

Erie County prosecutors credit the Town of Hamburg Police Department for their investigation. Assistant District Attorney Krista R. DeAntonis of the Justice Courts Bureau is handling the case.

As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.