N.Y. man arrested after allegedly dragging 81-year-old woman with vehicle

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (TCD) -- A 32-year-old man stands accused of trying to steal an 81-year-old woman’s purse and subsequently dragging her with a moving car.

According to a press release from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, on Tuesday, April 5, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Michael Sawyer of Buffalo attempted to steal the victim’s purse outside of a grocery store on Harlem Road near Kensington Avenue.

The District Attorney’s Office says, "The defendant, while driving a vehicle, allegedly grabbed the handles of the bag as the victim held onto her purse." The victim was reportedly dragged, fell, and suffered severe injuries.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, authorities found Sawyer’s car parked on Miller Avenue near Broadway in Buffalo. Sawyer allegedly tried to flee the scene, but he was taken into custody following a short chase.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, as of April 6, the victim remains hospitalized.

Sawyer was arraigned April 6 on one count of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree attempted robbery, the District Attorney’s Office says. Sawyer is reportedly scheduled to appear in court again on Monday, April 11, and he remains held on $200,000 bail.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Sawyer could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if convicted.

On April 6, the District Attorney’s Office says Sawyer was arraigned on separate charges involving another case, including unlawful fleeing a police officer in the motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office says Sawyer has a third pending criminal case, for which he was arraigned Dec. 22, 2021, on charges of unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, obstruction of governmental administration, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operations of a motor vehicle.

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