Man arrested after attacks in downtown San Diego SAN DIEGO

A man was arrested in connection with a 30-minute crime spree that involved three assaults in downtown San Diego on Sunday afternoon, police said.

One victim was hit with a piece of wood, another was punched in the face, and the third was struck in the head with a wine bottle, according to police. The victims were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.

The crime spree began about 1:50 p.m. after the assailant followed the first victim into the parking garage at the defunct Horton Plaza on Fourth Avenue, where the assailant demanded money, struck the victim with a 2by-4 and took his keys, police said.

The victim is in his mid-20s, police said.

According to police, the assailant then walked to a nearby massage parlor on Market Street near Second Avenue, where he confronted an employee in her mid-20s shortly after 2 p.m., punched her in the face, then exposed himself and tried to sexually assault her.

About 10 minutes later, the assailant grabbed a wine bottle at a Ralphs grocery store on G Street and struck a man in his 30s in the head. The victim suffered a laceration, police said.

Soon afterward, officers spotted the suspect and, after a brief struggle, arrested him, police Lt. Brian Avera said. The lieutenant said officers found methamphetamine and a pipe on the suspect.

The 47-year-old man was booked into county jail on suspicion of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with the intent to commit a serious sex crime and drug charges.

The assaults come almost a week after another crime spree in downtown San Diego that involved six attacks, including at least two stabbings.

That crime spree resulted in several charges — including attempted murder — against the 25year-old suspect.

“This terrible violent attack on innocent people is another example of unacceptable criminal conduct that is making people who live and work in downtown San Diego experience fear for their safety,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said last week of the Jan. 23 crime spree.

The suspect, Christopher Torres, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the charges. DAVID HERNANDEZ U-T