A 21-year-old Maryland man has been charged with attempted rape and other sex offenses after police say he assaulted three women in broad daylight in the span of a week -- including two attacks at grocery stores in Wheaton, Maryland.
William Brown Jr. is facing two counts of attempted second-degree rape, three counts of fourth-degree sex offense and three counts of second-degree assault.
The first incident happened on at 9 a.m. on Feb. 4 at a Safeway grocery store on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Police say the 33-year-old victim was using the self-checkout when Brown allegedly touched her inappropriately.
Two days later, police say a 30-year-old woman was placing her groceries in her car at the same grocery store when the suspect approached her and touched her inappropriately. Brown allegedly grabbed the woman and tried to push her inside her car. The victim fell to the ground, breaking her finger on the way down. Police say Brown ran away when someone entered the parking lot.
Brown is also accused of attacking a 22-year-old woman who was walking in the area of the Mid-County Regional Services Center on Feb. 10. Police say Brown touched the woman inappropriately and tried to pull down her pants. The victim was able to break free, and the suspect ran from the area.
Investigators saw a man matching the suspect's description at the Safeway store on Feb. 11. When he was questioned, Brown claimed he "bumped" into a woman in the garage. Police say his description of the woman matched the victim in the Feb. 5 assault.
Brown is being held on a $100,000 bail.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Police believe there may be other victims who have not yet reported incidents to police. Anyone with information that help police is asked to call 240-773-5050.
