Buffalo woman arrested for string of vandalism incidents using juveniles to target city locations
Buffalo, NY – A 39-year-old Buffalo woman was arrested in connection with multiple acts of vandalism that targeted locations across the city, including a city park, retail plaza, and residential street — all while allegedly using minors to carry out the crimes, according to police.
Buffalo Police announced Thursday that Stacy Matthews has been charged in a series of incidents involving property destruction and criminal mischief dating back to August. Detectives say Matthews drove juveniles between the ages of 10 and 16 to vandalize multiple properties, including The Terrace at Delaware Park, Dearborn Street, and the Tops Elmwood Plaza.
Investigators linked Matthews to four vandalism incidents at The Terrace at Delaware Park occurring on October 3, 7, 9, and 16, where furniture and windows were damaged, resulting in thousands of dollars in losses.
In another case from August 14, officers responded to a hit-and-run involving five vehicles on Dearborn Street that had been damaged by rocks and other unknown objects. On October 16, officers were dispatched to the Tops Elmwood Plaza, where suspects had removed garbage from a dumpster and scattered it across the parking lot.
The break in the case came on November 19 when officers were called to Tops Elmwood Plaza for a juvenile trouble report involving two 11-year-old girls refusing to leave a store. The juveniles said they were waiting to be picked up, and when the driver arrived, officers recognized the adult as the suspect linked to the earlier property damage incidents. Matthews was taken into custody without incident.
She now faces a long list of charges, including multiple felony counts of criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of a child. In total, Matthews has been charged with:
- One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (class D felony)
- One count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (class E felony)
- Twenty-one counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (class A misdemeanor)
- Criminal Tampering in the Third Degree (class B misdemeanor)
- Criminal Nuisance in the Second Degree (class B misdemeanor)
Police allege Matthews knowingly allowed the juveniles in her care to assist in vandalizing property across the city over a period of several weeks. The investigation remains active, but no further arrests have been announced.
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Key Points
- Stacy Matthews, 39, arrested for multiple vandalism incidents in Buffalo involving minors
- Targets included The Terrace at Delaware Park, Dearborn Street, and Tops Elmwood Plaza
- She faces felony charges for criminal mischief and 21 counts of child endangerment
