Police arrested a transient Monday night after he allegedly grabbed two 11 year-old girls and tried to force them into a bathroom stall.
The 27 year-old man identified as William Harry Marble, was near the St. James by the Sea Church on 743 Prospect St when he attacked the girls, said Gary Hassen, San Diego Police Department spokesman.
“The suspect put his hand over [one of] the victim’s mouth and tried to force the victim into a stall,” Hassen said.
Hassen said the girls yelled, garnering the attention of four male church members, who chased Marble and caught him before police arrived and took him into custody.
Church officials their facility was being used by a non-church organization putting on a recital when the attack happened.
Marble was arrested and charged with child cruelty, false imprisonment, and lewd and lascivious acts with a child by force or fear. He is currently on bail for $250,000 in the San Diego County Jail, Hassen said.
