Serial Shoplifter Pleads Guilty to All Counts in Five-Week Crime Spree

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Jordan J. Ellison, 55, of Rochester, New York pleaded guilty yesterday before Supreme Court Judge Debra L. Givens to one count of Robbery in the Third Degree (Class "D" felony) and eight counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class "E" felonies). The defendant pleaded guilty to all counts in the indictment.

Between Thursday, January 4, 2023, and Sunday, February 4, 2023, the defendant engaged in a series of retail thefts where he stole various merchandise on nine separate occasions from six different retailers in four different jurisdictions in Erie County. During the crime spree, defendant was apprehended once, which allowed the merchandise to be recovered and returned to the retailer. During the investigation, the defendant was linked to the eight other retail crimes where he successfully stole property with a total aggregate value of $12,902.

Ellison faces a maximum of four years in prison when he is sentenced as a second felony offender on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. At the sentencing proceeding, our office will request that the Court order the defendant to sign Confessions of Judgment for each retailer as well as a trespass notice, which rescinds his legal right and privilege to enter the stores in the future. Ellison remains held on bail previously set at $15,000 cash or bond.

Acting DA Keane commends Cheektowaga Detective Christopher Lovallo, Cheektowaga Police Officer Jennifer Szmania, Town of Hamburg Detective William Stowell, Town of Amherst Detectives Ron Smith and Thomas Westbrook and West Seneca Detective Jill Gallagher.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit and member of the Retail Crime Task Force as well as Assistant District Attorney Rachel Schepartof the Justice Courts Bureau.