The alleged food stamp fraud amounted to less than $4,000 and the burglary involved a vacant apartment with no threats to human life. But when it came time for Erie County Judge David Foley to set bail at a Lovejoy store owner’s arraignment Tuesday, he looked at the bigger picture.
It’s going to take $2 million to get Ahmed Alshami out of jail.
In setting the high amount, Foley noted that Alshami, 37, arrested Friday on four nonviolent felony charges, has 10 previous arrests – including two felonies.
The defendant also has a history of not showing up for court appearances – or for disciplinary hearings at City Hall regarding his family’s operating license for the IGA Community Express Mart, at Ludington and Davey streets. He most recently missed a Council hearing on Aug. 15.
Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel asked the judge to consider Alshami a flight risk and have him held without bail, noting that after the defendant missed a recent appearance in Buffalo City Court, he allegedly said “he was too busy to bother coming that day.”
“He has shown a wanton disregard for the justice system,” Ertel argued.
(Excerpt) Read more at buffalonews.com ...
