A 24-year-old man was arrested Wednesday afternoon for allegedly sexually assaulting an employee in the women’s bathroom of Petco’s Bell Gardens store.
The assault was reported about 4 p.m. Monday at the Petco in the 6800 block of Eastern Avenue, according to Lt. Efren Aguirre of the Bell Gardens Police Department.
Jaquice Blackman was identified with assistance from the public, who provided leads to investigators, police said. He was arrested about 4 p.m. Wednesday in Los Angeles, but the specific location was not released.
Blackman, who police say was armed with scissors, allegedly “followed the victim to the restroom where he forced entry into the bathroom and sexually assaulted the victim,” Aguirre said.
The victim suffered injuries on her face, an arm and legs, according to Sgt. Angelo Sinisi.
She screamed for help and was able to fight Blackman off, Sinisi said. Blackman fled the store.
KCAL9 reported that the victim was an employee of the Petco, and the suspect lingered around the restrooms for about 20 minutes before forcing his way into the bathroom.