CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – An 18-year-old Charlottesville man was arrested Wednesday morning and charged in connection with Friday’s sexual assault on the Downtown Mall.

Eduar Vasquez Ponce is charged with forcible rape and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A woman walked into police headquarters around 4 a.m. Friday and reported she had been sexually assaulted by a man with a knife in the 100 block of 5th Street SE.

“This arrest is a direct result of the collaborative efforts of our detectives, patrol officers, and the community members who came forward with information,” CPD chief Mike Kochis said in a statement. “Our detectives worked relentlessly, following every lead and leaving no stone unturned to identify a suspect in this case. Their dedication, combined with our patrol officers’ daily presence and interactions in the community, proved invaluable in bringing this case to resolution. We are grateful to the community members who made the call—your partnership makes Charlottesville safer for everyone. We remain committed to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime and will continue to work alongside our community to keep our city safe.”

Ponce was taken into custody Wednesday morning at approximately 9:30 a.m. in the 600 block of E. Main St. according to a CPD release.