Buffalo man sentenced in March kidnapping

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Buffalo man has been sentenced for a kidnapping he committed in Cheektowaga this past March.

24-year-old Abel Gebrehawaria will spend five years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision following his sentencing on Wednesday.

Gebrehawaria admitted to attacking a female victim as she got out of her car in the driveway of a home back on March 2. He abducted the victim by dragging her into his vehicle, which was parked on the street.

Prosecutors say Gebrehawaria pushed her into the rear seat and drove away.

During the kidnapping, the victim grabbed the steering wheel, which caused Gebrehawaria to drive his SUV onto the curb of George Urban Boulevard, allowing the victim to escape and report the incident to police.

Gebrehawaria pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping back in June.

The two did not know each other.