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Police: Man Arrested After Allegedly Sexually Assaulting Woman, Biting Her Ear

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) – A 26-year-old Egg Harbor Township man is facing charges Thursday night after he allegedly took a woman from a convenience store, sexually assaulted her and bit her ear, according to police.

Authorities say a little before noon on Thursday, near Pennsylvania and Arctic avenues, several people flagged down a police officer and told her a man had forcibly taken a woman out of a store.

A description of the man provided by the group fit the description of an earlier report of a man with a knife. The officer was able to locate the suspect and the woman a short distance away.

Authorities say the officer observed the suspect grabbing the woman's genitals, touching and aggressively holding onto her. The officer at that point, police say, realized the woman did not know the suspect.

The officer drew her weapon and demanded the suspect, later identified as Walter French, step away from the woman. The suspect eventually ran away, disregarding orders to stop. Police say moments later, the suspect turned around and approached the officer in an aggressive manner.

When additional officers arrived, French reportedly continued to fight, with police force having no effect, authorities said.

Police say French appeared to be on an unknown substance. Once he was handcuffed, French reportedly refused to walk on his own to enter the patrol vehicle. He was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center for an evaluation.

The victim, who suffered injuries to her ear, was taken to AtlantiCare for treatment and later released. She signed criminal complaints against French for assault and criminal sexual contact. French was additionally charged with aggravated assault on Police, Obstructing the Administration of Law, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.

Bail is $25,000.00. French was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility, Mays Landing.

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