Man Accused Of Trying To Pull Woman Through St. Paul Window Arrested

SAINT PAUL, MN — A man accused of trying to pull a woman out of her Saint Paul apartment through a window last week is now in custody, police said Saturday.

Officers arrested Eduart Gomez Ochoa, 27, shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report that a man matching his description was walking near Dale Street North and Wheelock Parkway West, according to the Saint Paul Police Department. He was taken into custody without incident and was later positively identified as the wanted suspect, police said.

Gomez Ochoa was taken to the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center, where he is being held on kidnapping and first-degree burglary charges.

The arrest came a day after police issued a public safety alert asking for help finding him. Officers had been called to the 700 block of Como Avenue at about 9:10 a.m. on Oct. 22 after a report that a man was trying to pull a woman from her apartment through a window.

It wasn't the first time Gomez Ochoa had been accused of breaking into a home in the city. Earlier this year, the Ramsey County Attorney's Office charged him with second-degree criminal sexual conduct and burglary, alleging he broke into an apartment on the 1500 block of Westminster Street on May 7 and sexually assaulted a girl.

With the arrest, police canceled the public safety alert and thanked residents for their help and vigilance.