BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University police are crediting two bystanders with stopping the sexual assault of a woman on campus Friday evening.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the bystanders were driving through campus around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 when they heard a "life-threatening scream" out of Dunn's Woods. That's when they saw a man trying to sexually assault a woman.
The woman told police she noticed a man following her in the woods. She said he proceeded to tackle her and begin to sexually assault her. When the bystanders saw this, one jumped out of the car and yelled at the man until he ran away.
"We actually had officers in the area just minutes after the calls were made to dispatch Friday, so we were able to apprehend the suspect pretty quickly," IUPD public information officer Hannah Skibba said.
Officers located the suspect at the intersection of 4th and Lincoln streets and arrested them. IU police said the suspect was not associated with the university. The victim of the assault was provided support and resources, according to police.
Police say without the efforts from the bystanders, they would have not been able to arrest the suspect so quickly.
"We thank them for their quick action, they were able to step in and prevent anything further from happening and that's exactly what we want to see," Skibba said.
According to IU's crime log, around 20 sexual assault cases have been reported this semester. 13News spoke with students who say this number makes them feel unsafe on campus.
IUPD said they have officers patrolling all around campus and they want students to feel safe to report any suspicious activity to them.
"We know when victims come forward it takes a lot of courage, so when they do we help them in any way possible," Skibba said.
The suspect is facing preliminary charges of attempted rape, sexual battery, battery with injury, confinement and criminal trespass.
(NOTE: 13News does not name suspects in cases until formal charges are filed by prosecutors.)