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Passerby thwarts sex assault

WINNIPEG - A brave bystander foiled a would-be rapist’s plans on Saturday morning, helping a young woman to escape serious harm.

At about 3:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, an 18-year-old woman was walking near Sargent Avenue and Langside Street when she was approached by an unknown man.

The man attempted to start a conversation, making some small-talk comments to suggest that he knew the woman, police said Sunday. When she ignored his advances, the man grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her into a nearby back lane, where he began taking off her clothes.

The woman began screaming and resisting the attacker. Her screams drew the attention of an unknown passer-by, who saw the struggle and started yelling, "What are you doing?" at the attacker.

Once spotted, the suspect fled.

After the suspect ran off, the man walked the victim to her family’s house. She was not seriously injured.

"As a result of his actions, the suspect did flee the area," Michalyshen said. "The situation could have been much worse."

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, about 25 years of age and wearing a windbreaker.

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