BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Police Department announced a Buffalo man has been arrested in connection to an alleged sexual assault at Shoshone Park.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. According to police, 34-year-old Lamont Love allegedly punched and slammed a woman to the ground which caused cuts, pain, and swelling. Love then allegedly subjected the woman to sexual contact without her consent.
Police said the woman was able to fight him off, flee the area, and call police.
Love was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse, third-degree assault, and second-degree harassment. He was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on Monday.
The Erie County District Attorney's office said Love is scheduled to return on Friday for a felony hearing and prosecutors requested that the defendant be held without bail, but the court set bail at $10,000 cash, insurance company bail bond or partially secured surety bond. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.
Police held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to provide more information on the arrest.
According to Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, the woman was walking on Main Street and walked through the LaSalle station parking lot, and then went down the stairs and into the park. She allegedly originally spotted Love on Main Street on a bicycle and then he made his way to the bike path in the park where he allegedly confronted her and attacked her.
Gramaglia said during the attack the woman was able to fight him off and then de-escalate the situation by talking him down. She made it to a safe place and then called the police. Love was taken into custody about 20 minutes later.
The commissioner and Erie County District Attorney John Flynn commended the woman for her actions during the situation.
During the press conference, Flynn also said that at this time there does not appear to be any link between this incident and the alleged kidnapping of a woman in Cheektowaga. Flynn did say his office is currently investigating if this case has any connection to an attempted sexual assault at Delaware Park in September 2023.
Because officials are currently investigating if this case is connected to any previous cases, 7 News has chosen to release Love's mugshot.
