Authorities arrested a 21-year-old man Thursday after they say he sexually assaulted a woman just north of the Twin Cities two days prior.

According to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, the sexual assault occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday in Vadnais Heights near the Centerville Road and Pondview Drive intersection. 

A woman was walking on a sidewalk when "a man ran up from behind, forced her off the path, and sexually assaulted her," the sheriff's office said. Following the attack, the woman ran to get help at a nearby home. She was then taken to the hospital. 

The suspect fled the scene and was later arrested around 11 a.m. Thursday on the 5100 block of Mead Road in White Bear Township, according to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. The man allegedly confessed to the assault in an interview with investigators.

Authorities say the arrest "would not have happened without the victim's courage, the community's help, and the BCA's professional processing of DNA evidence."

Sexual Assault Resources

• (SOS – Ramsey County)
• Sexual Violence Center (SVC – Hennepin County)
• Aurora Center (U of MN)
• 360 Communities (Dakota County)
• Hope Center (Rice County)
• Canvas Health (Washington County)
• Alexandra House (Anoka County)

General Sites for information related to sexual assault and resources throughout Minnesota:

• Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault

General Sexual Assault Websites:

• Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)