Man accused of kidnapping woman from north Austin bus stop, sexually assaulting her
Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man faces two felony charges after reports he kidnapped a woman from a north Austin bus stop and sexually assaulted her at a nearby motel on Saturday, according to Travis County court documents.
Records showed 42-year-old Lance Donnell Benford was charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault in connection with the incident.
KXAN reached out to Benford’s attorney. This story will be updated if a statement is received.
According to court documents, a woman called 911 from a corner store in north Austin on Rundberg Lane saying she had been physically and sexually assaulted by a man nearby. The affidavit said the woman feared for her life after Benford "brandished a knife" and told her to do what he said.
The Austin Police Department responded, and officers said the woman was in obvious emotional distress and cried while reporting the incident.
A sex crimes detective also responded and took her statement surrounding the incident, as well as interviewed a witness and Benford.
According to the affidavit, Benford’s DNA was submitted for laboratory analysis, and a SAFE exam was performed on the victim.
Surveillance footage from the motel was also collected into evidence, and according to court documents, it showed Benford physically assaulted the victim.
Benford was booked into the Travis County jail Saturday, and as of Wednesday, he remained in custody on bonds totaling $150,000.