The Ernakulam Central Police on Friday arrested one more man for allegedly attempting to rape a woman in Kochi after threatening her friend at knifepoint. The accused, identified as Sanjay, is the third person arrested in the case, police said.

Police had earlier arrested Danish, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, and Rahul from Kollam. The duo were consuming alcohol inside an abandoned building near the Ernakulam South Railway Station when the woman and her male friend entered the premises around 9.30 pm on Tuesday to take shelter from the rain, police said.

The accused allegedly attacked them, held the man at knifepoint and attempted to rape the woman. However, the duo managed to escape after fighting back and later informed the police, who took both accused into custody within 24 hours.

“The building, which had earlier functioned as a hotel, had remained abandoned for a long time and was known for anti-social activities,” an officer with the Central Police said.

“Though the duo informed the police about the incident on the same day, the woman was initially not ready to pursue the case legally. She was later given counselling, following which an FIR was registered. The accused were booked under Sections 76 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe) and 62 (attempt to rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha (BNS),” the officer said.

He added that CCTV footage collected from the area helped identify the accused. “The visuals revealed details of the two-wheeler used by the accused, which helped in tracking them down,” the officer said, adding that both men were habitual offenders with more than 10 criminal cases, including murder charges, registered against them.