Actor Jesse Martin is victim of thieves

Actor Jesse Martin is victim of thieves
By VANESSA THOMAS
News Staff Reporter
10/26/2006















Jesse L. Martin was shooting a local film.

Jesse L. Martin, the television actor from Buffalo, was the victim of a theft Monday morning when he returned here to shoot a local film.

Martin, who plays Detective Ed Green on NBC's classic television series "Law & Order," was eating breakfast in an Allen Street restaurant when thieves broke into a sport utility vehicle and stole his belongings and luggage.

The 37-year-old New York City actor took a flight out of town hours later - with only the clothes on his back and his wallet.

"I'm ashamed of my city," said director Peter McGennis, who flew Martin here to shoot his independent feature film, "Buffalo Bushido."

"I feel like our community let him down. . . . The purpose of the film is to make people feel good about Buffalo, and that's why Jesse came here. I had to drop him at the airport with nothing but his wallet."

Martin, a graduate of the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, spent 2¹/2 days in Buffalo after he arrived here for filming Saturday morning. Martin was disheartened by the daylight theft in the city where he was raised.

"He wasn't furious," McGennis said. "We're just disappointed and crushed. . . . He's such a positive person. I've never seen a celebrity with so much grace."

The thieves stole items from the SUV that belonged to three people - Martin, McGennis and Brette Goldstein, a New York City-based casting director. The total estimated value of the heist was about $8,450.

Police said about $3,000 worth of Martin's belongings were stolen - luggage valued at $2,000, about $500 worth of clothing, a $450 video iPod and dozens of autographed photographs of the actor.

"It's a shame," said Central District Police Chief Donna M. Berry. "I can't believe how brazen they would be at 11:15 in the morning. . . . I hope these criminals read this and realize how they're destroying this city." Martin, McGennis and Goldstein went to eat breakfast Monday morning in the Towne Restaurant, 186 Allen St. During breakfast, Martin spoke about his love for Buffalo, offered advice to help the restaurant's cook pursue his dream of being a stand-up comedian and signed several autographs. He also talked about his goal of starting an independent film festival here.

After breakfast, they walked back to the SUV and discovered the theft. During his stay, Martin dined with his relatives and friends and filmed at Franklin Middle School and the Lenox Hotel.

The independent film, "Buffalo Bushido," is being shot entirely in this city on a shoestring budget but also features Hollywood actors John Savage and Leila Arcieri.

"He's lived in New York City for 20 years and has never been robbed or a victim of theft. He comes back here, and in two days he gets fleeced," McGennis said.

e-mail vthomas@buffnews.com