Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – New York State police arrested Rickey Crouch Thursday afternoon after a chase on the Thruway near Hamburg.
Crouch is accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend, 44-year-old Amanda Thompson, after Buffalo police say he broke into her home on South Ogden Street in the city's Lovejoy District. The incident occurred just after midnight Thursday, resulting in Thompson's death due to her injuries.
During a news conference Thursday, officials stated that Crouch was previously involved in a domestic relationship with Thompson, and has a history of multiple arrests involving Thompson. This included an incident two months ago in which police arrested Crouch with a gun after breaking into Thompson's home.
Related
WBEN has obtained court reports of those incidents in May, when Crouch was arrested on multiple felony charges, but released from custody. Here is a timeline of charges from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office:
On May 20, 2025, Rickey M. Crouch was arraigned on one count of Burglary in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony), one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony), one count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (Class “E” felony), one count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanors) and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation).
It is alleged that on the evening of Monday, May 19, 2025, the defendant unlawfully entered a residence on the 600 block of South Ogden Street in the City of Buffalo, with the intent to commit a crime, by intentionally breaking a door. The defendant is accused of subjecting the adult female victim to physical contact by grabbing her throat during the incident. The alleged crime occurred in the presence of a juvenile. It is further alleged that when responding Buffalo Police officers initiated a traffic stop, the defendant attempted to flee on foot. The defendant was quickly apprehended. A loaded, illegal handgun was allegedly recovered from his flight path, which was submitted into evidence for further analysis.
At the arraignment, our prosecutor requested that the defendant be remanded. Bail was set at $50,000 cash or bond, which was posted by the defendant. Temporary orders of protection were issued on behalf of the victims.
It is also alleged that on the evening of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the defendant drove by the victim’s home and the home of the victim’s relative while knowingly in violation of an existing order of protection. The defendant’s alleged actions caused the victim to be harassed, annoyed and alarmed. The victim reported the incident to the police.
On May 23, 2025, Crouch was arraigned on one count of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor) and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation). Our prosecutor requested that the Court impose bail at $30,000 cash or bond on the criminal contempt case pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law 510.10(4)(t) as his alleged conduct involved harm to an identifiable person committed while he was released on bail for a separate crime involving harm to an identifiable person. Crouch was released on his own recognizance.
WBEN has obtained the police reports of Crouch's May arrests through a Freedom of Information request.
A Cheektowaga police spokesperson gave WBEN information on another May incident involving Crouch. Here is what he told us:
I can confirm that we did respond to a shots fired call in the Garden Village apartments just before 12:30AM on 7/17/25. No one was injured and an investigation was immediately launched. Our crime scene in Cheektowaga appears to be related to an active homicide investigation in the City of Buffalo. We have been coordinating our efforts with the Buffalo Police Department.
Crouch previously pleaded guilty to the murder of a man in 1996. He was released from prison in 2023 after serving the minimum sentence.
Former Erie County District Attorney John Flynn joined WBEN's Joe Beamer on Thursday to discuss the criminal prosecution of this case. He says there is an urgent need to change New York State’s Bail Reform Laws.
"We have a society where accountability and responsibility are missing in our criminal justice system and our entire culture," he said.
Crouch is scheduled back in court on Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m.