An Ashford man is facing a slew of charges in connection with an near Horse Barn Hill and Gurleyville Roads on the University of Connecticut campus.
Bruce A. Ursin, 57, of Ashford, is charged with criminal attempt/aggravated sex assault, criminal attempt/kidnapping in the first-degree with a firearm, threatening in the second degree, weapons in a motor vehicle and breach of peace.
At 1:41 p.m. Thursday, a woman told police she was approached by an older man in a newer-model Toyota while she was walking on Horse Barn Hill Road, according to police.
The victim told police the man was wearing a mask and had a pistol on his lap when he told her to get into his vehicle, police said.
Police said the woman was able to flee the area and safely call UConn Police, who responded to the scene.
After receiving a text message from the university’s emergency alert notification system, a community member notified police that they had seen the vehicle in Ashford, police said.
UConn Police were able to obtain images of the vehicle on the campus’ security cameras and identified the owner of the truck by viewing the license plate, according to police.
Connecticut State Police and UConn Police were eventually able to locate the vehicle on Cushman Road in Ashford and arrested Ursin following a traffic stop, police said.
A loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol was found in Ursin's possession, and evidence was seized from the vehicle that indicated he intended to commit a sexual assault, according to police.
Ursin is being held on a $1,000,000 bond. He will appear in Rockville Superior Court on Friday, May 4.
