Jury Finds Hamburg Man Guilty of Burglary for Breaking into Neighbor's Apartment

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a jury found Michael V. Manning, 38, of Hamburg, guilty of one count of Burglary in the Second Degree (Class C felony). Jurors rendered their decision yesterday afternoon after approximately one hour of deliberation following an approximately two-day trial, convicting the defendant of the sole count of the indictment.

During the early morning of Monday, March 9, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the defendant broke into the victim's apartment by using force to open her front door. The victim awoke to the loud noise and the defendant walking into her home. The defendant lived in a lower apartment inside of the same building but was not known to the victim.

When the victim informed the defendant that she was calling the police and told him to leave, he exited the apartment. After the defendant left, the victim attempted to shut the door, which would not close due to the damage. The defendant quickly returned and attempted to talk to the victim through the doorway as she blocked the entrance with a chair and called 911. Police located the defendant inside of his apartment where he was taken into custody.

Manning faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case on Tuesday, December 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. He was held without bail while pending sentence. A temporary order of protection issued on behalf of the victim remains in effect.

DA Keane commends Lt. Joseph Larosa, Officer Nicholas Faso and Officer Samuel Meckley of the Hamburg Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ryan A. Fortuna and Alexander F. Sanchez of the Felony Trials Bureau.