Buffalo man sentenced for attempted burglary, assault against first responders

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was sentenced Tuesday afternoon in connection with two 2022 incidents: an attempted burglary and an assault of three firefighters, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Officials said 44-year-old Titus Smith was sentenced to 12 years to life in prison as a persistent violent felony offender.

Around 3:09 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2022, Smith acted with another individual to unlawfully enter an apartment on the 200 block of Auburn Ave. in Buffalo. He pushed out an air conditioner in order to climb through a window and commit a burglary. Smith was found in possession of two bags of the victim’s belongings after a neighbor called 911, according to officials.

He pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted burglary in April 2024. The other individual pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal trespass and was sentenced to time served.

Smith committed the assault less than a month after the attempted burglary. Around 8 a.m. Sept. 11, 2022, the Buffalo Fire Department responded to a report of a person in need of medical assistance on the 300 block of 14th St.

Smith caused physical injuries to firefighters who attempted to aid him. He slashed one with broken glass, punched one in the eye and hit another with a toilet seat lid before being subdued and transported to ECMC, officials said. All three were treated at ECMC.

Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in April 2024.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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