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Man arrested for attempted sexual assault near UW-Oshkosh

Posted at 3:40 PM, Sep 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-18 18:25:55-04

Police have arrested a man in connection to an attempted sexual assault near the UW-Oshkosh campus early Sunday morning.

A 27-year-old man, who is not a UW-Oshkosh student, was arrested and could face charges of sexual assault, burglary, battery and auto theft for other incidents he was allegedly involved in as well. He is being held at the Winnebago County Jail.

On Sunday, September 17 around 5:20 a.m., the man allegedly tried to sexually assault a woman near W. Irving Ave and Cherry Street, police said. Bystanders intervened and stopped the attack.

The man is also suspected in several other incidents being investigated around UW-Oshkosh, according to police.

The attempted sexual assault put students on high alert Sunday.

Students told NBC26 they're now, more than ever, relying on different school safety resources, including blue light emergency phones across campus that connect directly to police.

They are also utilizing the Safe Walk program where an officer or security guard can meet a student and walk with them wherever they need to go.

"I definitely make sure that I'm traveling with someone I know and trust," said Hannah Neuenschwander, a UW-Oshkosh student. "I know about the Safe Walk program. If I'm ever feeling unsafe, I take advantage of that service that's been provided to us."

Police said they want student to not feel afraid or nervous, but instead be prepared.

"We want our students and out community, anybody in the area to feel safe, so the quick action of community members in our investigation helps them," said Capt. Chris Tarmann with UW-Oshkosh Police.

UW-Oshkosh Police and City of Oshkosh officers are both investigating these incidents.