Sexual Assault Alleged in Arrest of Napa Man

A 33-year-old Napa man was arrested over the weekend after an alleged assault at a store in downtown Napa.

Thomas Mutert was taken into custody just before 1 p.m. Saturday on suspicion of sexual battery, burglary, false imprisonment and parole violation after an incident at a retail store in the 1100 block of First Street, Napa.

According to the police report, an officer was dispatched to a retail store in the 1100 block of First Street regarding an assault that had just occurred.

The officer contacted the victim, a woman who stated she was working alone at the store. The woman went into the bathroom. When she exited the bathroom, she noticed a white male, not known to her, later identified as Mutert, was in the rear of the store, police said.

Mutert then walked to the front of the store as the woman walked behind the register. Mutert walked up to woman while she was behind the register, police said.

 Upon approaching the woman, Mutert allegedly placed both of his hands above her right knee and moved them up her leg touching her pubic area.

 The woman pushed Mutert away, at which time he left the store eastbound on First Street. After speaking with the woman, the officer left the store and went to his patrol vehicle to obtain paperwork.

At this time, Mutert contacted this officer and allegedly admitted to being responsible in the assault on the woman inside of the store. Mutert was taken into custody. A records checked revealed that Mutert is on active State parole.

The store has security cameras, which allegedly recorded the assault of the victim by Mutert. The surveillance footage was collected and will be used as evidence in this case. police said.

Mutert was transported and booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections for burglary, false imprisonment, sexual battery and violation of parole.