Cedar Market clerk charged with sexual battery
Simranjeet Singh followed the woman into the bathroom, grabbed her in a bear hug and kissed her repeatedly, according to Berkeley police.
A Berkeley shop clerk who accosted a woman seeking help for a bike problem has been charged with sexual battery inside the store, according to court papers.
The woman told police she had gone into Cedar Market, at 1601 California St., on April 20 at about 9 p.m. to get help with her bike chain, Berkeley police wrote in charging papers.
Simranjeet Singh, who was working alone in the market, offered to help the woman with her bike, police wrote. Then he told her she could use the sink in the employee restroom to wash her hands.
Singh then followed the woman into the bathroom, grabbed her in a bear hug and kissed her repeatedly, according to Berkeley police.
Singh told the woman something to the effect of, "I helped you, now you can help me," authorities said.
Read more about sex crimes in Berkeley.
The woman "was terrified that Singh was about to sexually assault her, so she used a significant amount of effort to push him away and flee the market," police wrote.
Police said they found surveillance footage that captured audio of the woman repeatedly saying "no" before she fled the store.
Berkeley police arrested Singh on Monday. He declined to speak with police, according to charging papers.
On Tuesday, the Alameda County DA's office charged Simranjeet Singh, 29, of Richmond with sexual battery and false imprisonment, which are both listed as misdemeanors.
He was scheduled for arraignment Wednesday morning.
Simranjeet Singh. BPD
As of publication time, Singh reportedly remained in custody at Santa Rita Jail, according to booking records. His next court date was not listed.
There have been 40 sex crimes reported in Berkeley this year, according to BPD data: 24 felonies, 10 misdemeanors, and six that involved juveniles but were uncategorized as to severity.
As of last year at this time, there had been 61 sex crime reports: 34 felonies, 14 misdemeanors, and 13 that involved juveniles but were uncategorized as to severity.
Update, 3:30 p.m. The Scanner added a booking photograph to this story when it became available.
Sexual violence support resources
- Bay Area Women Against Rape: 510-800-4247
- RAINN hotline and other resources
- Highland Hospital: 510-437-4800
