Tandre Buchanan, Robbery and Evidence Tampering, Ohio 2020

Cleveland’s streets ran red on May 30, 2020, as a wave of chaos swept through downtown during a protest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Amidst the turmoil, Tandre Buchanan, 24, of Cleveland, made his mark, but not in a peaceful manner. Buchanan was convicted of robbery and evidence tampering after he shattered a window at Colossal Cupcakes, a local business, and made off with valuable items.

According to court documents, Buchanan, wearing a bright orange jacket, head covering, and shoes, entered the business through the broken window and encountered the store owner and employees, who locked themselves in a bathroom to call for help. Buchanan then removed a chair from the shop and repeatedly smashed a second window until it finally shattered and fell out.

As the scene unfolded, multiple individuals entered the business through the broken window, destroyed the shop’s interior, and stole several items, including store inventory and iPads, all while Buchanan was smashing the second window. This brazen act of thievery and vandalism left a trail of destruction in its wake.

Buchanan’s crimes did not go unnoticed, however. He was ultimately identified and arrested based on multiple identifications made from photos released to the public. The FBI, with the assistance of the Cleveland Police Department, investigated the case and brought Buchanan to justice.

On [date], Tandre Buchanan was sentenced to four years in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent for his role in the robbery and evidence tampering. This conviction serves as a stark reminder that stealing from and deliberately damaging a business is unacceptable, regardless of the underlying intention or purpose.

With this sentence, the courts have made it clear that violent, deliberate attacks against individuals and businesses will not be tolerated. The FBI will continue to investigate cases that aim to cripple commerce, whether it’s a small business or a large corporation. As Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler stated, ‘The right to engage in peaceful protest is guaranteed under the Constitution and must always be protected. Using that as an excuse to commit crimes against the innocent is an adulteration of that right.’

Buchanan’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the law and protecting our communities. The sentence handed down to him serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the system and commit crimes under the guise of protest.

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