Within two minutes of a 911 emergency call, patrol officers from the Cornell University Police Department arrested Rishawn M. Vieweg, 25, suspected for an attempted robbery at knifepoint that occurred Tuesday, Nov. 19, at about 5 p.m., near the Synapsis Cafe in Weill Hall.

The suspect allegedly displayed a knife, demanded cash and then attempted to push a university employee into an elevator. The victim reportedly broke away, yelled for help and escaped through a nearby door, according to Cornell Police.

A witness overheard the employee’s pleas for help and called police, and then attempted to stop the assailant, who fled on foot. The police apprehended the suspect minutes later.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Vieweg is being charged with robbery (first degree, class B-felony), unlawful imprisonment (first degree, class E-felony), criminal possession of a weapon (fourth degree, class A-misdemeanor) and menacing (second degree, class A-misdemeanor).

Vieweg was arraigned in Ithaca City Court and remanded to the Tompkins County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.

“Thanks to the cooperation and an act of bravery by a member of the Cornell community, we were able to have a prompt response time and get the suspect into custody within minutes,” said David Honan, deputy chief of Cornell Police.