A man tried to force a 9-year-old girl to perform a sexual act on him in New London on Monday, then attempted to sexually assault a 15-year-old boy who intervened when the girl escaped to her home, police said.
Police arrested Clayton Denny, 37, after responding to calls reporting that two men were fighting on Grand Street just before 6 p.m. on Monday.
Denny approached the 9-year-old girl on her birthday and attempted to kiss her, then grabbed her wrist and "tried to have her perform a sexual act on him," according to police.
The girl was able to get away and Denny chased her as she ran home, police said.
When a 15-year-old boy who saw what was happening stopped Denny at the door to the girl's house, Denny tried to sexually assault the teen and raised a fist to punch him when the teen backed away, according to the incident report.
Police said Denny ran and officers found him hiding several blocks away in the backyard of 37 Spring Street.
He led officers on a short foot chase and struggled with police.
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Denny was charged with criminal attempt to commit first-degree sexual assault, two counts of risk of injury to minors, first-degree unlawful restraint, resisting arrest, breach of peace and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police are holding him in custody on a $250,000 bond.
Denny also has two outstanding warrants for his arrest on charges of violating a standing criminal protective order, second-degree burglary, violation of a protective order, third-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
It is not clear if he has an attorney.
