A man accused of trying to sexually assault a customer inside a Southern California store bathroom while wearing a dress that made him look like a Barbie doll allegedly stole the outfit before the attack, police said.
Surveillance video shows 40-year-old Gregory Schwartz with the stolen dress on, entering the women's restroom at a Big Lots store in Clairemont the evening of Jan. 31, according to San Diego Police Lt. Chuck Kaye.
When a woman walked into a stall, police said Schwartz climbed under the door, grabbed her and tried to sexually assault her.
The victim fought back, then escaped and run to a store employee. Schwartz ran out soon after and was confronted by a security guard.
Police said Schwartz threatened the guard with what appeared to be a screwdriver and ran out of the store.
The surveillance tape helped investigators identify Schwartz as the lead suspect in the incident.
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"It constantly amazes me -- even people that are involved in identity theft, shoplifting -- how they think they're going to go unobserved considering the amount of surveillance cameras there are out there in the commercial establishments," Kaye said.
Officers arrested Schwartz Sunday afternoon near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Diane Avenue. He was living out of his car, investigators said.
Schwartz is being held on a $100,000 bond, and his arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday.
Police are reviewing the surveillance video and do not plan to release it since the investigation is still open. They believe Schwartz was under the influence of drugs at the time.
This is the second time a woman has been accosted in a public restroom in the past few months.
Jason Arringdale pleaded guilty in January to attempted robbery after police say he threatened a woman and her 4-month-old baby in a Kohl's bathroom in College Grove the month before.
