A Wauseon man was arrested Thursday afternoon for kidnapping after he approached a female student in her Offenhauer West dormitory room.

Matthew Kinder is being held at the Wood County Justice Center and has been charged with kidnapping, according to Paul Dobson, chief assistant criminal prosecutor.

“My understanding is that this was a former acquaintance of the victim, and there may have been a weapon involved,” Dobson said.

Kinder allegedly kidnapped Brittany Yaicher, a sophomore at the University.

Witnesses said they could hear a male voice coming from Yaicher’s room, and that Kinder – an ex-boyfriend – pulled a knife on Yaicher.

Campus police arrived on the scene at about 5:30 p.m. and told residents that the suspect was in jail.

“The cop was up here with her and was explaining restraining orders,” said an Offenhauer West resident who wishes to remain anonymous.

The suspect could face a first degree penalty for kidnapping with a sentence maximum of 10 years in prison, or he could face a second degree penalty with a sentence maximum of eight years in prison.

According to Dobson, the penalty depends on the crime and whether the victim was left in a safe place, under which first degree charges can be reduced to second degree.

Kinder is being held on a $27,500 bond with a court date set for today at 2:30 p.m.