A 23-year-old man is behind bars on $1 million bail after San Diego police say he broke into three apartments in the Midway District, sexually assaulted a woman, and forced her to flee with her one-month-old baby to escape. The incident, reported around 10 PM last Saturday at the 3200 block of Wing Street, unfolded at a gated transitional housing complex for young adults leaving foster care or homelessness.
Police arrested Diego Yanez inside the victim’s apartment, according to Fox 5 San Diego and KUSI News. He now faces charges including rape, false imprisonment, assault and burglary. The outlet reports that the woman called for help and escaped with her infant, who was not harmed during the incident, and that she was later treated at a nearby hospital.
Officers responded to the complex, which includes San Diego Youth Services’ main office alongside the gated living community, and confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public, per the same report. On-site staff with the nonprofit responded immediately, and a spokesperson for San Diego Youth Services said the safety and well-being of young people and staff remain the organization’s highest priorities. The organization says it is cooperating fully with law enforcement, gathering information about the circumstances of the incident, and assessing what additional security measures may be needed.
Witnesses Describe a Chaotic, Violent Scene
Additional details from the night paint a disturbing picture beyond what police have confirmed. According to 619 News Media, a witness described the suspect running naked around the complex while appearing to suffer a mental health crisis, and one resident said the intruder entered her unit, urinated on her carpet, threw hygiene products, and damaged her air conditioner…