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Man Wanted For Attempted Rape, Assault On North Shore Trail In Custody

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Police say a "violent offender" wanted for attempted rape and assault is now in custody.

According to police, 58-year-old Ozell Austin was arrested by McKeesport police on Friday.

A source told KDKA that Austin was seen at a bar in McKeesport but left before police arrived. He was later caught on Walnut Street near a gas station.

He was wanted in connection to a June 28 assault on a woman on the North Shore. According to the criminal complaint, the seven-minute assault was caught on camera.

The victim told police she was sitting on a retaining wall between a North Shore trail along the Allegheny River and the office building behind it. She said Austin approached her and said "Gimme some love," according to the criminal complaint.

The woman left, according to the complaint, as did Austin, who later returned. He shoved her to the ground, punched her and put his hands around her neck and tried to take her short off, the complaint says.

The victim told police the only thing that stopped Austin was a witness who yelled at him.

When he was taken Friday to Pittsburgh Police Headquarters, where he had a lot to say.

"It's inappropriate, inappropriate," Austin told KDKA's Jennifer Borrasso.

Borrasso: What is inappropriate?

Austin: For me to be treated like I did something wrong.

Borrasso: What happened?

Austin: There was interference. Someone came out the building instigating, inappropriate.

A worker at Light of Life Rescue Mission recognized Austin. He said Austin had breakfast there on the morning of June 28.

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