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Man arrested, accused of threatening and sexually assaulting women in downtown Louisville

Darelle Oliver, 38, was arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana after LMPD released a warning to the public.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Friday, Louisville Metro police (LMPD) asked the public to be on the lookout Friday for a man they said was targeting women downtown. 

LMPD issued a "duty to warn" on social media. Police said the man pictured, 38-year-old Daralle Oliver, has made "homicidal and suicidal threats" after sexually assaulting "several women" downtown.

LMPD said at least four women have been assaulted, including two Friday morning. The department said they increased its presence in the downtown area with marked and unmarked vehicles, especially near the hospital corridor.

UofL Health - Jewish Hospital shared an image with LMPD of Oliver entering the building. The hospital said the alleged sexual assaults did not happen on their campus. 

Within 45 minutes of LMPD posting the warning on social media, Oliver was arrested across the Ohio River by the Jeffersonville Police Department (JPD) for other offenses. 

WHAS11 spoke with several people around the hospital district about the arrest. 

"I think it's wonderful," said Louisville resident Carolyn Allen said. "I think it's great. It's where he needs to be, off the streets."

"LMPD is right down the street so I think that adds kind of a factor of safety," said Louisville resident Braxton McCrady. "So I'm glad they were able to get him that quickly."

Both Allen and McCrady said they did not see LMPD's social media warning. Allen is an elderly woman who said she does not feel safe downtown. 

"You never know the people walking around, what they are doing and what they're up to," Allen said. "You just can't trust anybody anymore."

McCrady works in the area but is not surprised a situation like this happened. 

"It's not the best side of town," McCrady said. "But I don't think it's that bad. I mean, I guess that kind of stuff can happen anywhere."

Norton Healthcare shared the following statement with WHAS11 News:

"We are grateful for everyone’s swift action in this matter. Security on all of our campuses is of critical importance. After the incident was reported, we added extra security patrols around our downtown hospital properties and notified employees."

LMPD confirmed Oliver was in JPD's custody by 1:50 p.m. and will be extradited back to Louisville. 

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