Buffalo man accused of stealing $176,000 from elderly family member

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini

2 minutes ago

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly depositing more than $176,000 into his personal checking account intended for an elderly family member, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

Authorities said that in January 2022, a 72-year-old man had to be hospitalized after a fire broke out in his Buffalo home. The defendant, Jamire Y. Barber, 35, served as the primary point of contact for the homeowner’s insurance claim.

It is alleged that in April 2022, Barber received a check worth $176,410.10 intended for the victim. He allegedly deposited the check into his own account and spent the next four months purchasing designer clothing, jewelry and vehicles and engaging in online gambling, officials said.

Barber was charged with one count of second-degree robbery and is scheduled to return to court May 28 for a pretrial conference. He was held without bail.