Man arrested, accused of assaulting clerk in Colorado Springs business

A man faces several charges, including a kidnapping charge, after police say he assaulted a clerk at a Colorado Springs business.

Police say Thomas Bittner entered a store downtown, in the 200 block of N Tejon, Monday afternoon and asked to try on a dress. After walking out of the dressing room, he ran into the employee restroom. A clerk went after Bittner and told him it was an employee-only area. Police say Bittner then reached around the door, pulled the clerk into the restroom and choked her. A customer came to help the clerk, and began punching Bittner. The clerk was able to get away and called 911.

Officers quickly responded and arrested Bittner.

Bittner faces charges that include Kidnapping/False Imprisonment and Assault.
The clerk suffered minor injuries.