Bloomington man followed woman in wooded area, arrested for attempted rape

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A man was arrested for attempted rape after following a woman around in a wooded area of Bloomington.

Manuel Lopez Lopez was charged with:

• Attempted Rape, a Level 3 Felony
• Sexual Battery, a Level 6 Felony
• Confinement, a Level 6 Felony

The Bloomington Police Department was dispatched to the 1000 block of E. Hillside Dr. on a report of a caller hearing a female scream “get off me” and “help” from a wooded area. Upon arrival to the scene, officers found the victim.

According to court documents, the victim said that she was walking south on Woodlawn Ave. towards Hillside Ave. when she saw Lopez Lopez walking in the opposite direction. The man reportedly began to follow her closely. Two witnesses on the scene saw some of the attack on the victim and were able to intervene enough to get him to run away.

A few moments later officers received a phone call about a suspect, that matched the description of Lopez Lopez, trying to attack a different female on the 100 block of E. Miller Dr. She was able to get away and call the police.

When the suspect was caught, both women positively identified Lopez Lopez as the man who attacked them. Officers described how Lopez Lopez had slurred speech and appeared very intoxicated.

Lopez Lopez was booked into the Monroe County Jail.

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