Man followed UGA student from bar before attacking her in apartment, officials say

A homeless man faces multiple charges, including attempted rape, in connection with the robbery of a University of Georgia student just off campus Saturday.

Jose Antonio Ramirez, 30, was arrested Tuesday after the woman was attacked in the 300 block of Oconee Street, according to Athens-Clarke County police. A prosecutor said Thursday the man followed her from a downtown Athens bar to her apartment because she was intoxicated and "looked like an easy target," the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

Ramirez allegedly rushed into the 23-year-old woman’s apartment shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday and pushed her onto a couch, the newspaper reported. The woman’s roommate called authorities, but the attacker fled before they arrived.

After releasing a photo and a sketch of the suspect, investigators received information that led to Ramirez’s arrest in a parking lot in the 400 block of Lexington Road, police spokesman Geof Gilland said. They also recovered evidence allegedly linking him to the robbery.

Using these images, Athens-Clarke County police have arrested Jose Antonio Ramirez in connection with a robbery and attack of a University of Georgia student.

In addition to the robbery and criminal attempt to commit rape charges, Ramirez faces charges of false imprisonment, battery and burglary.