Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A 24-year-old Buffalo man has been arrested and arraigned on Friday after an attack on a Cheektowaga woman back in early March.
Abel Gebrehawaria was arraigned on a sealed indictment Friday morning to one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class "B" felony).
It is alleged that in the early morning hours of March 2, 2024, the 26-year-old victim exited her car on George Urban Boulevard in Cheektowaga when the defendant approached and attacked the victim in her driveway, where she was subsequently dragged towards a parked SUV on the street.
It is alleged Gebrehawaria pushed the victim into the rear seat of the SUV and drove away. The victim, at one point, was able to grab the steering wheel of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to drive on a curb.
The defendant than told the woman to leave, and Cheektowaga Police was contacted shortly after.
Cheektowaga Police Cpt. Brian Coons says the defendant and the victim were not known to each other prior to this incident.
Gebrehawaria is being held without bail. His next court date has yet to be scheduled.
If convicted, Gebrehawaria could face a maximum sentence of 25 year in prison.
"I think the message here for the public is to be alert. Be aware," said Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane. "She's in her driveway when this happens. It's extremely alarming. She's literally going into her home at 1:32 a.m. in the morning when she's attacked by this man."