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Police: Man Sexually Assaulted Woman At Flint Church

FLINT (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say a man is in custody after sexually assaulting a woman at a Flint church and trying to attack another woman.

Police say the 48-year-old man, who has not been named, is currently in custody at the Genesee County Jail, pending charges.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell told the Flint Journal that the woman was assaulted Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Flint after the man lured her inside.

Pickell said the man met the first woman at a Mass Transportation Authority facility. Reports say when the woman asked the suspect for food because she was hungry, he took her to the church under the premise they could help her. Once there, Pickell said the man got the woman into a bathroom, where he allegedly raped her.

Following the first attack, staff at the church consoled the victim and encouraged her to go to the hospital. Other staff members reviewed the church's security tape footage to try to identify the attacker.

About an hour later, Pickell said the man tried the same thing with another woman. Church members recognized him, prevented an attack and helped authorities catch him.

Pickell said the suspect was on parole from a previous breaking and entering and arson charges. He was set to be discharged from parole in 2013.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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