Kendrapara: Police on Wednesday arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly trying to rape a college girl at Jadupur in the district on October 15.

The cops arrested Kalindi Behera, a native of Jadupur village, from Paradip port township. He confessed to the crime. He has been produced in court under Indian Penal Code Section 376/511 (attempt to rape), said sub-divisional police officer Kedarnath Sahoo.

Behera had allegedly waylaid the college girl and tried to rape her at a deserted spot near the NH-side Jadupur junction. On hearing the girl's scream, local people had rushed to the spot and rescued her. Behera had, however, fled the spot to Paradip on a motorbike. His whereabouts were traced following electronic tracking of his mobile phone, the police said.

The crime had sparked public outrage with the local villagers hitting the streets and blocking the national highway.

The accused is already facing a trial for allegedly raping a woman in Paradip last year. At present, he is on bail. Besides, criminal cases are also pending against him in Marshahgai police station in Kendrapara, Sahoo said.