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Suspect arrested in attempted abductions of two female students

By Amy Gage
May 27, 2005

A suspect is being held in the Rice County jail in Faribault and is expected to be charged today in the attempted abduction of two female St. Olaf students last Sunday night.

Northfield police arrested Roberto Alejandro Rosas Marcial without incident on Thursday afternoon after an anonymous tip led them to Viking Terrace, a trailer park on the northern edge of town.

According to Northfield Police Chief Gary Smith, Marcial has confessed to the more severe crime, and the victim has identified him as her assailant.

The two St. Olaf students escaped physical harm Sunday night when Marcial and another man -- who remains at large -- attempted to abduct the women in separate but coordinated incidents within blocks of the St. Olaf campus.

St. Olaf Director of Public Safety Fred Behr notified the campus community immediately, in keeping with campus policy.

"Security of our students is our No. 1 priority," Dean of Students Greg Kneser said, adding that he has never seen an incident like this in his 15 years on campus.

Among the safety tips issued by Behr:
* Never walk alone.
* Always be aware of your surroundings.
* If you sense danger, run to the nearest house for help.
* Report all suspicious activity to the campus's Public Safety office.

St. Olaf patrols have been extended to the neighborhoods surrounding campus. "Our security is 24/7 and 365 days a year," said Behr, who oversees a full-time staff of seven people. "But because these events were precipitated off campus, we are running more frequent patrols down St. Olaf Avenue, all the way to Way Park."

According to a press release issued Tuesday by the Northfield Police Department, a suspect -- now identified as Marcial, who is 24 -- followed one woman for about seven blocks, to the eastern edge of campus. The woman escaped his grasp and ran for help to a nearby dorm.

In the second incident, police said that a woman sitting in Way Park, about two blocks east of the St. Olaf campus, was approached from behind by a different man. He restrained her before she ran away. Both suspects were seen riding in a van together just moments before the incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Northfield Police at 507-645-4477 or an anonymous tips line at 507-663-9494.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.