Prosecutor says Cheektowaga man stole more after admitting to ATV theft

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY (WIVB) — While awaiting conviction for an ATV theft in Cheektowaga, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office said a resident of the town had walked out and committed additional crimes.

Now Mark Cepuchowski, 39, will spend three to six years in prison. Here’s a timeline of what happened, according to prosecutors:

• July 23, 2020 – Cepuchowski stole an ATV from outside a store on Walden Avenue and later pleaded guilty to grand larceny and trespassing in August 2021.
• August 25, 2021 – After his plea, Cepuchowski was allowed to participate in a judicial diversionary program and was released of his own volition.
• October 3, 2021 – Prosecutors say Cepuchowski vandalized the doors of a Springville car wash to commit a burglary. He is then said to have damaged the ATMs inside to steal money. Officials say he was linked to the crime through DNA evidence.
• March 6, 2023 – Cepuchowski allegedly stole more than $8,100 worth of merchandise from some department stores in Lancaster and Orchard Park. Surveillance footage linked him to the crimes, prosecutors say.
• March 23rd – An arrest warrant was issued against Cepuchowski.
• June 21st – Cepuchowski was arrested, taken into custody and held without bail.
• 20th of July – Cepuchowski pleaded guilty to grand larceny and attempted burglary.

“Cepuchowski committed all three crimes while conviction was pending in a separate criminal case,” the prosecutor’s office said.

On Wednesday, Cepuchowski was convicted as the second violent criminal.