Exclusive: Good Samaritan Helps Victim Of Newark, Delaware Sexual Assault
NEWARK, Del. (CBS) -- Police are warning women in Newark, Delaware to be on alert after an attempted sexual assault.
They're also asking for the public's help in finding the suspect.
Tuesday night, Eyewitness News spoke exclusively to the Good Samaritan who helped the victim.
The incident happened on a trail in Phillips Park near the University of Delaware.
"Just totally totally terrified. I've never seen terror like that," Ryan Ebersole said.
Ebersole recalls his heart racing. He and his roommates had to act fast after a woman ran into their kitchen, frantic and frightened.
Eborsole explained, "The only words she can get out was, 'Somebody tried to rape me'."
He called 911 and says while waiting for police, the woman just hid in the kitchen corner, terrified.
"The one thing she did mention was that she was punched in the face. I didn't notice anything but she was so red in the face, I couldn't tell but she was kind of dirty. She had dirt all over her feet," Ebersole added.
The 30-year-old woman later told police, she is new to the neighborhood and she walked from her home to the 7-11 nearby on Elkton Road. She, unfortunately, couldn't figure out how to get back and that's when a man offered to find her way home.
It was Sunday night and according to the woman, the two were walking when they ended up on a trail next to Philips Park. She says that's where the man knocked her to the ground and tried to sexually assault her. She fought him off and ran to Ebersole's.
"She couldn't breathe. She couldn't talk," Ebersole recalled.
Through their investigation, police have since identified the suspected attacker as 43-year-old Marvin Holmes. Unable to locate Holmes, police are now asking for your help.
Ebersole added, "I was shook up. Everybody was shook up. You're never prepared for situation like that."
Police say Holmes is known to use the names, "Nico", "Rick" and "Mar". Holmes is also known to frequent the homes and businesses along Elkton Road.
Anyone with information about where Holmes can be found is asked to call the Newark Police at 302-366-7111. An anonymous text message tip can also be sent by texting 302NPD and your message to TIP411.
Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3
