The alleged incident had occurred last night when GV Nagendra Prasad tried to molest the woman when she was working in a shop, police said, adding Prasad was caught by neighbours and handed over to the police.
Joint Commissioner of Police AS Khan said Prasad's friend K Balu had requested him to trace his woman friend who has been missing since December 25.
"Prasad was repeatedly questioning the tribal woman who was roommate of the missing woman," he said, adding Prasad also tried to force himself on the woman on at least three occasions earlier.