Police arrest suspect for UT Arlington kidnapping, rape

ARLINGTON, Texas - Police have arrested a man for allegedly kidnapping a student from the University of Texas at Arlington and sexually assaulting her.

Arlington police said 20-year-old Joel Mambe was taken into custody around 3:30 a.m., less than 24 hours after a woman said she was taken from campus at gunpoint.

Police made the arrest at a suburban Fossil Creek home in north Fort Worth early Thursday. Police said he he was there visiting an individual who works at the residence.

According to detectives, evidence recovered included the victim’s backpack, her debit card and a gun.

Surveillance video was key in leading investigators to Mambe. Police say a recording captured Mambe at an apartment complex where he abandoned the victim and left on foot. Investigators determined he knew someone who lived there and that unraveled his identity.

He will face charges for aggravated robbery, kidnapping and sexual assault. He also had outstanding warrants.

The victim was getting out of her car at the Midtown Apartments early Wednesday morning when a man came up and forced her to drive to a nearby ATM and convenience store to withdraw money before making her drive to an apartment complex where he assaulted her.

Police said the student is doing okay physically but is still shaken up.

Both Arlington police and UTA police have increased their presence in and around the campus.