TALLAHASSEE, Fla., (WTXL) -- Some members of a Florida State University fraternity are being hailed heroes, after helping a female student who was being assaulted by a man who was just released from prison, said police.
Florida State University Police arrested 24-year-old Patrick Furman on felony charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault.
According to the report, Wednesday at 12:04am, several members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity were in the area of Academic Way near the Oglesby Student Union, when they noticed a female student being accosted by a man.
The victim later told police the suspect came up behind her, grabbed her chest, and attempted to pull her away. She says all the while, he was telling her “Come with me. Just come with me.”
Police said some of the fraternity members began to chase Furman, who ran toward DeGraff Hall. A public service officer was also able to get the suspect's description from the fraternity members.
According to police, Furman unknowingly walked up and asked an FSU police officer in an unmarked car to let him in the backseat. That's when officers obliged and took Furman into custody.
FSU Police Chief David Perry says they are grateful for the students’ action to help a fellow student in distress. “With their help, and swift coordination with our uniformed and plainclothes officers, FSU stood united to stop this offender and ensure he was taken into custody. We want to say loudly and clearly that anyone who seeks to harm our students will be dealt with using every resource we have.”
The victim was provided with immediate services of the FSU Victim Advocate, said police.
Furman was booked into the Leon County Jail. In addition to being charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault, he also faces misdemeanor battery charges.
Furman is no stranger to being behind bars. Three days before the attack, Furman was released from a Gadsden County prison. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, he was serving a five year prison term for aggravated battery with intended harm, and for escaping a treatment program.
