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The incident happened in Ulster County at the Wenton Motel in Saugerties just after 3 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16.
After forcing his way into the motel room, several witnesses confronted suspected rapist Austin T. Hollister, 21, of Purling in Greene County, Saugerties Police said.
While the victim escaped the room, one witness held down Hollister for several minutes until police arrived at the scene, according to a later police investigation.
"My understanding is they were some sort of acquaintances but they weren't intimate acquaintances," said Saugerties Police Chief Joe Sinagra of the perpetrator's relationship to the victim.
Hollister was charged with the felony of forcible rape.
Saugerties detectives are investigating further, and additional charges are pending.
Hollister is currently being held in Ulster County Jail on $10,000 bail.
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