A Cheektowaga man has been sentenced to five years in prison following a botched pawn shop robbery that resulted in a shootout with employees. Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced the sentencing of Jaquail A. Yamani, 30, who pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the incident.
Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio also ordered five years of supervision for Yamani upon his release from prison. In June, Yamani pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree attempted robbery as well as single counts of first-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree attempted robbery.
The incident occurred on May 1, 2023, at a pawn shop located in the 1100 block of Walden Avenue. Prosecutors stated that gunfire erupted when Yamani brought a laptop computer and a Bluetooth speaker to the shop for pawn.
As the items were being examined, Yamani allegedly held a gun to the head of a store employee. However, the employee managed to push the gun away, retreat to the back of the store and retrieve his own firearm.
A shootout ensued involving Yamani, an unidentified accomplice, the store employee, and a co-worker. Fortunately, no store employees were injured during the exchange of gunfire. However, later that day Yamani sought treatment for a gunshot wound at St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Through surveillance video, license plate readers, and the laptop left behind at the shop, authorities were able to link Yamani to the attempted robbery. The botched pawn shop robbery not only endangered the lives of the store employees but also disrupted the peace and safety of the community.
The swift action and collaboration of law enforcement agencies played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending Yamani. As the case concludes, the affected pawn shop employees can find solace in the fact that justice has been served.
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