An Indiana University student was arrested Sunday after attempting to rape a woman who tried to help him, according to a press release from Indiana University Police Department Deputy Chief Shannon E. Bunger.
Police were called to Birch Hall after a woman reported a male who appeared to be overdosing but then attacked her. According to IUPD, he tried to rape her as she attempted to help him. When police arrived, the man was on top of the woman. The attacker was identified as IU student Kalp Patel.
The suspect was pulled off the woman and arrested, according to a press release sent to members of the media Tuesday. Police do not know what drugs the attacker may have taken, but he was taken to IU Health to be cleared by medical staff, then transported to jail.
Here is the entire press release:
“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2022
Case #22-0132
On Sunday, January 16, 2022, around 10:30 P.M., IUPD was dispatched to USA Birch Hall in reference to a male that was overdosing on an unknown drug. When officers arrived at Birch Hall, the complainant from the original call told the emergency communications center that the male had awakened and was attacking her. Officers arrived at the room where the attack was taking place and they observed a male lying on top of a female and the female was yelling for help. The male, later identified as IU student Kalp Patel, was removed off the female, and taken into custody. The female student later told IUPD detectives that she had gone to Patel’s room because she had been told that it sounded like someone was in distress. After several attempts to get an answer at the door, the female entered the room, and located Patel sitting in a chair. It appeared that Patel was unconscious and needed medical attention. At this time, she called for an ambulance. It was at this time, Patel woke up, threw the female to the floor, and attempted to rape her. The female was able to fight off Patel until officers could arrive and take Patel into custody. At this time, IUPD does not know what or if any drugs Patel could have taken. Patel was cleared by medical staff at the IU Health Hospital and transported to the Monroe County Correctional Facility.
Charges:
Rape; Level 3 Felony.
Criminal Confinement; Level 6 Felony.
Strangulation; Level 6 Felony.
Resisting Law Enforcement; Class A Misdemeanor.
Battery complaint of pain; Class A Misdemeanor.
Illegal Possession of Alcohol; Class C Misdemeanor.”
As a reminder: Under Indiana law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
