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D District Blotter Community Thursday, February 26, 2026 • • 3

Compiled by Roxie Harbison Recollections . . .
Week of February 26, 2026 Calendar
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed
innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Come Dance! Every Wednesday -

• Complainant (brother-in-law) reports the defendant, a 36-year-old COMMUNITY SWING - dancing
Buffalo woman, used his Door Dash and Uber account to obtain goods at the Ukrainian American Civ-
and services without permission totaling over $800. Defendant did leave ic Center, 205 Military Rd. $10 -
child at home on Saratoga St. in Buffalo with a non-family member that Doors open at 6 p.m., music
was high on narcotics. from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Pani
• On Feb. 20 the complainant reports that the defendant, a 39-year-old Maria serves her Fish Fry every
Buffalo man, did enter the large discount department store on Delaware Friday from 6 - 9 p.m.
Ave. and did conceal $50 worth of a package of TOPS baseball cards into
Tuesday, March 3 - Grant Amherst
his pants, taking without permission. Complainant then stated that the Business Assn. meeting - Gary
defendant passed all points of purchase and was apprehended outside the Carrell, Solid Waste Recycling
store.
Same store. Defendant, a 32-year-old Riverside woman, entered the Specialist, Erie County Environ-
ment & Planning and Charlie
store on Delaware Ave. and while inside she loaded a bag and stuffed
items down her pants then passed all points of purchase and exited the Porter, VP Business Develop-
store. Merchandise recovered totaling $416.35. ment, Green Sheen - Talking
• Complainant/victim stated the suspect and his girlfriend were hiding about the paint recycling
in a vehicle on Mayer Ave. so when the victim (neighbor) came outside event - Black Rock Historical
the suspect had a bat in his hand, charged the victim and hit her on the Society at 436 Amherst St. -
back and the girlfriend had an unknown object in her hand. 9:30 a.m.
• On Feb. 19 Buffalo Intel, ECSO and BPD SWAT executed a search
Saturday, March 7 - Vet Fest 2026
warrant at an address on Clay St. BPD SWAT did make entry and SWAT - American Legion Post 1041,
did take the defendant into custody at the top of the stairs. Upon further
533 Amherst St. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
investigation a Detective did recover a purple Ruger EC95, 9mm pistol,
loaded with seven 9mm rounds from the pocket of a grey North Face Services, benefits, discounts,
giveaways, food, drinks.
jacket in the upstairs bedroom closet. Another detective did recover a
black Taurus G3C 9mm pistol loaded with thirteen 9mm rounds from the Thursday, March 12 - Pasta Dinner
floor in the upstairs bedroom closet. Another Detective did recover a - Post 1041, Amherst St. - 5 - 7 p.m.
plastic baggie containing eight .40 cal. rounds from a LV purse in the up-
Friday, March 20 - Towel Party - St.
stairs bedroom closet. Mark’s & All Saints, 256 River-
• Defendant, a 33-year-old Buffalo woman, got into a verbal dispute
side.
with her brother (victim) on Forest Ave. over a TV remote and the defen-
dant then did pull two knives out making the victim fearful. Minors were Wednesday, April 1 - Our Indige-
present. nous History, Culture, and the THE RELIABLE STORE at 824 Tonawanda St. is the subject of
• Defendant, a 29-year-old Buffalo woman, and co-defendants, an 18- Land, Melissa Leonard. 7 - 8:30 this old-time photo, courtesy of photographer Jake Utzig. Recog-
year-old Buffalo woman and a 23-year-old Buffalo woman, did pass all p.m. Black Rock Harbor Cen- nize anyone on the left? Or do you know about when this photo
points of purchase with $199.23 worth of groceries from the small grocer ter, 52 Amherst St. was taken? If you do, please contact the Black Rock Historical
on Hertel Ave. while failing to pay for the groceries. All property recov- Society, 436 Amherst St. Photo appeared in the Riverside
ered by the complainant. Review October 29, 1981.
Photo from the Rich Mack Collection,
courtesy of Black Rock Historical Society, 436 Amherst St.
Man arrested in Riverside

found dead after release

Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was agreement with defense counsel that
found dead Tuesday on Perry Street he would remain in custody on bail
shortly after 8:30 p.m. Buffalo ho- while pending sentence. Our office
micide detectives are investigating was not aware of his release until
the death of Shah Alam who was yesterday. We have been informed
reportedly blind and did not speak that the federal immigration detain-
English. er remained in place at the time his
Erie County District Attorney bond was posted on Thursday, Feb.
Mike Keane released a statement 19, 2026. My office will move to
saying: dismiss the charges upon receipt of
“I am saddened to learn of the his death certificate.”
tragic death of Nurul Amin Shah WIVB-TV reported: “U.S. Bor-
Alam. I recognize the desire for der Patrol had placed a hold on AP GORNY EXHIBIT: Book Arts
answers sought by his family, Alam and were made aware he was has announced an exhibition of
friends and our community as his about to be released. Agents arrived the work of “conceptual illumina-
death remains under investigation. at the holding center before Alam tor,” AP Gorny. Opening recep-
“Nurul Amin Shah Alam, age was officially let go by the Erie Spread the news?
tion on Friday, Feb. 27 from 6 - 8
56, was arrested following an inci- County Sheriff’s Office…. p.m. Located in Buffalo's Literary
dent last February in Buffalo’s Riv- “According to Customs and Corridor, WNY Book Arts Center Scan this QR Code and
erside neighborhood, which resulted Border Protection, agents took send it to your friends to
in minor injuries to two Buffalo Alam into their custody and is at 468 Washington St., Buffalo. read this week’s “paper”!
It is open: Wednesday to Friday, 11
Police officers. On Feb. 16, 2025, dropped him off at a Tim Horton’s
he was arraigned in Buffalo City in Black Rock, closer to where they a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10
Court where he was held on bail set thought Alam lived. a.m. - 2 p.m. The exhibit runs Feb.
at $25,000 cash or bond. A federal “Turns out, it was an old ad- 27 to March 21, 2026.
immigration detainer was issued af- dress, and his family had since
ter his arrest.” moved. His family was not initially Worship with us!
Shah Alam was indicted by a notified.”
Grand Jury on felony assault, bur- Keane stated: “It is the primary
glary and criminal mischief charges. objective of this office to ensure Church of the St. Mark's / All Saints'
At his arraignment on the indict- accountability, protect public safe- Assumption Episcopal Church
ment in June 2025, his bail was ty, and promote fair and equitable 435 Amherst Street 311 Ontario at Riverside
modified to $5,000 cash or bond. He outcomes. In this matter, the re- Weekend Mass Schedule: Sunday Services: 10:30 am
continued to be held on bail as the duced disposition appropriately Saturday: 4:30 pm www.stmarksandallsaints.org
case proceeded to trial. held the defendant accountable for
On Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, Shah the crime while avoiding a penalty Sunday - 10:00 am Office: 716-875-8374
Alam pleaded guilty before Erie that would be unduly harsh and dis- 716-875-7626
County Court Judge James Bargnesi proportionate to the offense. Happy Birthday Riverside Baptist Church
to one count of Criminal Possession As the District Attorney, I want Ontario Street United 346 Ontario St.
of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree to protect the safety of everyone in Joe Congelli Methodist Church
(Class A misdemeanor) and one our community. My office will con- Pastor Lal Fak Mawia (corner of Ontario/Ross)
count of Criminal Trespass in the tinue our review of this matter to (Feb. 26, 1958 - 179 Ontario corner Sunday services:
Third Degree (Class B misdemean- determine whether any lessons can Feb. 16, 2026) Tonawanda Sunday 9:45 am - Sunday School
or). His bail was continued at be learned to help prevent future (classes for all ages)
$5,000 cash or bond. The matter tragedies. My thoughts remain the 68 years young! Worship: 9:30 am 10:30 11:00 am - Worship Service
was scheduled for sentencing on family and friends of Mr. Shah am: Mizo Congregation 716-876-3994 for more info
Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Alam as they grieve his passing.” 716-875-3639 Sr. Pastor - Rev. Dr. Rick English
Keane stated: “At the time of the
plea, it was our understanding and