Man charged with sexual assault after woman fought off attacker in Riley Park

Police havelaid charges against a man afteran attempted sexual assault Tuesday night whena woman fought off the attacker and a passerby subdued the man until police arrived.

It happened around 11 p.m. when a woman, walking through Riley Park with two friends, was approached by a man who asked to speak with her.

Once the woman was away from her friends, the man pushed her to the ground and tried to sexually assault her, ripping her clothes, police said in a release.

The woman fought off the man and alerted her friends, who chased the culprit.

A passerby saw what was happening and caught and detained the suspect, suffering minor injuries as he struggled with him.

The passerby and one of the woman's friends held the suspect until police arrived to arrest him.

"I believe by the actions taken, they certainly prevented further trauma to the victim," said Staff Sgt. Bruce Walker of the sex crimes unit.

"I would categorize this as random."

Grayson Reed White, 18, of Calgaryhas been charged with assault and sexual assault with a weapon. He is scheduled to appear in court onJuly 26.

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