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2 charged with numerous burglaries in WNY, including at Medina car wash

Posted 30 April 2025 at 6:25 pm

Press Release, NY State Police

LOCKPORT – The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of Lockport on April 22 arrested Michael E. Tomaka, 39 of Buffalo for Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree, Burglary 3rd degree (D Felony), Criminal Mischief 2nd degree (D Felony) and Grand Larceny 3rd degree (D Felony)

On April 23, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Cody M. Canterbury, 27 of Derby for Burglary 3rd degree (D Felony), Criminal Mischief 2nd degree (D Felony), Grand Larceny 3rd degree (D Felony) and Conspiracy 5th degree (A Misdemeanor).

On February 12, the State Police’s Lockport Bureau of Criminal Investigation received a report of a burglary at Magic Mist Car Wash on S. Transit Rd in the town of Lockport. The investigation led to the identification of two suspects, Tomaka and Canterbury.

Investigation determined through the approximate two-month State Police investigation, both suspects were subsequently linked to the following incidents of burglary throughout the Western New York area.

  • Jan. 2 – Chaffee Car Wash and Mini in Sardinia (Erie County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary, Criminal Mischief
  • Jan. 30 – Magic Mist Car Wash in Grand Island (Erie County Sheriff’s Office) – Attempted Burg, Criminal Mischief
  • Feb. 12 – Magic Mist Car Wash in Lockport (State Police) – Burglary, Grand Larceny, Criminal Mischief
  • Feb. 17 – Middle E-Z Car Wash – Middleport (Niagara County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Petit Larceny
  • Feb, 22 – Advantage Self Storage in Depew (Depew Police Department) – Burglary, Attempted Grand Larceny of MV and Criminal Mischief
  • March 3 – J and N Car Wash in Silver Creek (Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary, Grand Larceny and Criminal Mischief
  • March 16 – Magic Mist Car Wash in Newfane (Niagara County Sheriff’s Office) – Attempted Burglary and Criminal Mischief
  • March 16 – Pippard Automotive in Newfane (Niagara County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary and Petit Larceny
  • March 18 – Stop N’ Wash – Sanborn (Lewiston Police Department) – Attempted Burglary and Criminal Mischief
  • March 24 – Outlet Car Wash in Niagara Falls (Niagara County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary and Criminal Mischief
  • March 26 – Magic Mist Car Wash in Medina (Medina Police Department) – Attempted Burglary and Criminal Mischief
  • March 27 – Sardinia Covenant Community Church (Erie County Sheriff’s Office) – Burglary and Criminal Mischief
  • April 6 – Tonawanda Self Storage in Tonawanda (Town of Tonawanda Police Department) – Burglary, Grand Larceny and Criminal Mischief
  • April 16 – Angola Self Storage in Angola (Evans Police Department) – Burglary, Grand Larceny and Criminal Mischief
  • April 18 – Eden United Methodist Church in Eden (Eden Police Department) – Burglary, Grand Larceny and Criminal Mischief

On April 18, assisted by Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Tonawanda Police Department, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, State Police Troop A Community Stabilization Unit, and State Police Troop A Violent Felony Warrants and State Police Lockport BCI executed search warrants at multiple locations recovering more than 60 items of stolen property associated with the incidents.  Additionally, Tomaka was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun.

Both suspects were processed then transported to Niagara County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.