A University of Minnesota student was the victim of an attempted kidnapping early Wednesday, according to University police.

The victim was walking near the intersection of University Avenue Southeast and Oak Street Southeast when two males in a dark blue sedan approached her, according to an email crime alert sent to the University community Wednesday evening.

One man asked if the victim needed help, according to the alert. When she said no, the suspect got out of the car, grabbed the victim’s arm and tried to force her into the car. She attempted to defend herself with pepper spray, but the suspect pushed her to the ground and then used the pepper spray against her. The victim screamed, and the two suspects drove away.

The attempted kidnapping is the latest in an increasingly brazen string of reported crimes in the campus area. Early Sunday, a University student was the victim of an alleged sexual assault by a suspect impersonating a police officer.

Both of these incidents are under investigation, and police are asking anyone with information to call the Minneapolis Police Tip Line at 612-692-8477.