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Man accused of attempted sexual assault in Little Italy pleads not guilty

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8/CNS) - A man accused of ambushing a janitorial worker at a Little Italy coffee shop and trying to sexually assault her pleaded not guilty today to a half-dozen felony charges, inc...

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8/CNS) - A man accused of ambushing a janitorial worker at a Little Italy coffee shop and trying to sexually assault her pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a half-dozen felony charges, including kidnapping with the intent to commit a sex offense.

Christopher Merron, 28, was ordered held on $1 million bail. He faces life in prison if convicted, said Deputy District Attorney Nicole Roth.

Merron allegedly attacked the woman as she was cleaning the coffee shop in the 1700 block of India Street about 4:30 a.m. last Sunday, pushing her into a back room, taking her car keys and threatening her with a knife.

Following a struggle, the victim, who the judge identified only as Marta N., was able to break free and run out of the building, said San Diego police Lt. Jason Weeden.

The assailant then fled in the woman's tan 1998 GMC Jimmy SUV. Merron was arrested in Mission Valley the next day and the victim's stolen SUV was recovered, Weeden said.

"This was a brazen and serious sex crime," Roth said outside court. "There are also allegations that he used a knife in the commission of this offense"

Besides kidnapping with the intent to commit a sex offense, Merron is charged with assault with the intent to commit a sex offense, attempted oral copulation, false imprisonment with force, robbery and auto theft.

“As you can imagine, any victim in a case of this nature – a brazen attack with a sexual assault - it’s a traumatizing and traumatic event for that individual,” said Roth. “You’ll hear the extent of the impact that has had on her and the extent of any injuries at the preliminary hearing on October 30.”

San Diego police arrested Merron on Monday , at about 1:30 p.m., in the 2100 block of Fenton Parkway in the city of San Diego. The stolen SUV was recovered.

“The investigation was swift in this case through the diligence of the San Diego police department, they were able to apprehend the suspect,” said Roth.

Merron will be back in court Oct. 26 for a readiness conference and Oct. 30 for a preliminary hearing.

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