A Los Angeles man accused of attacking a female employee in the restroom of a Petco store in Bell Gardens pleaded not guilty Friday to felony charges.
Jaquice Blackman, 24, was charged Thursday with one count each of assault with intent to commit rape and second-degree burglary, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege Blackman was armed with a pair of scissors when he broke into the restroom, struck the 19-year-old woman in the face several times and tried to sexually assault her. He fled when the woman struggled and screamed, according to Deputy District Attorney Safaan Ahmed.
The woman suffered injuries to her face, an arm and her legs in the attack, which was reported about 4 p.m. Monday at the Petco store in the 6800 block of Eastern Avenue, according to Bell Gardens police Sgt. Angelo Sinisi.
Blackman was identified with assistance from the public, who provided leads to investigators, police said. He was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles, and has remained behind bars since then in lieu of $120,000 bail.
If convicted as charged, he could face more than seven years in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
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