OU student escapes abduction attempt in Mill Street alleyway

A 20-year-old female Ohio University student escaped abduction early Friday morning in an alley off of Mill Street near St. Paul's Catholic Church.

The victim was on her way to her boyfriend's house at around 12:30 a.m. when a white man in his mid-20s with short brown hair grabbed her, unzipped her sweater and told her to get in a van, the victim said.

At that point I went into panic mode

she said, and I punched him in the face and ran.

The suspect, described as about 5 foot 6 tall and 165 pounds, fled in a 1990s style tan van with brown stripes, according to the police report.

Her roommates called Athens Police Department when she got home and an officer arrived within five minutes, the student said.

You might think that you're very cautious the victim said. But it's just really not a good idea to walk alone.

The investigation is still pending, according to the police report.

The officer on duty was not available for comment.