Serial burglar sentenced for crimes in Buffalo's Elmwood Village & West Side neighborhoods

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced Friday that Ryan C. Klatt, 35, of no permanent address, was sentenced before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller as a second felony offender. Klatt received an indeterminate sentence of four to eight years in prison.

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at approximately 9:08 p.m., the defendant and an unidentified co-defendant unlawfully entered a store on the 200 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo by prying open the back door, which had been boarded closed. The defendant stole various packages while the store was closed.

On the morning of Thursday, Nov. 7, at approximately 4:07 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a business on the 1500 block of Niagara Street through a rear basement doorway, which had been boarded closed. The defendant attempted to steal various items, including tools and clothing valued at approximately $695. The defendant was found inside of the building where he was taken into custody by police. The defendant was arraigned later the same day in Buffalo City Court. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges were non-qualifying offenses for bail.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, at approximately 5:33 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a store on the 400 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo.

On Nov. 19, Buffalo City Court Judge Peter J. Savage III issued a bench warrant after the defendant failed to appear for a scheduled court date for the crime that occurred on Nov. 7.

On Tuesday, Dec. 31, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the defendant, with the intent to commit a crime, attempted to unlawfully enter a business on the 600 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo through a side door.

On Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at approximately 5:30 a.m., the defendant, with the intent to commit a crime, attempted to unlawfully enter a business on the 700 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo by using a screwdriver to pry open the rear door.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, at approximately 5 a.m., the defendant, with the intent to commit a crime, attempted to unlawfully enter a business on the 200 block of Plymouth Avenue in the City of Buffalo.

On Friday, Jan. 24, at approximately 2:19 a.m., the defendant, with the intent to commit a crime, attempted to unlawfully enter a business on the 700 block of Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo.

When he was returned on the bench warrant, Klatt was identified as the suspect in the additional burglaries. He has remained in pre-trial custody after his arraignment on additional charges since Jan. 25.

Klatt pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary in the third degree (class “D” felonies) and four counts of attempted burglary in the third degree (class “E” felonies) on June 26, 2025.

Keane commends Det. Brendan Overdorf, Det. Thomas Olejniczak, Det. Lamar Reeves, officer Giovanni Colon and officer Magan Campbell of the Buffalo Police Department, as well as NFTA police officer Jamie Maloney, for their work in these investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel N. Celani of the felony trials bureau.