Diego Yanez pleaded not guilty after police said he entered several apartments at a San Diego Youth Services housing community.
SAN DIEGO, CA — A 23-year-old man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault and a series of apartment break-ins at a gated housing community in San Diego’s Midway District, according to police and local court reporting.
Diego Yanez is accused of entering several apartments at the San Diego Youth Services property in the 3200 block of Wing Street on the night of Aug. 22. Police said a woman was sexually assaulted inside one unit before escaping with her 1-month-old baby and calling for help. Officers arrested Yanez inside the woman’s apartment, authorities said.
The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment. Her family said during Yanez’s arraignment that she remained hospitalized and was recovering from a concussion. The infant was not injured, police said. Authorities have not publicly identified the woman, and her name is being withheld because she is an alleged victim of sexual assault.
Yanez faces charges including rape, burglary, assault, false imprisonment and willful cruelty to a child, according to reports from his arraignment. He entered not-guilty pleas Wednesday. His bail had initially been set at $1 million, but a judge ordered him held without bail during the court hearing. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 3.
Police said Yanez is accused of burglarizing three apartments at the property. San Diego Youth Services spokesperson Sandra Wellhausen said Yanez was not a tenant at the complex. Residents interviewed by local media said they did not recognize him and did not know how he entered the gated property.
The housing community has security cameras, lighting, fencing and an automatic parking gate that residents can open, according to San Diego Youth Services. The organization said an on-site staff member was alerted after the incident and law enforcement was contacted. The nonprofit has since kept the entrance gate closed throughout the day while reviewing its security procedures and how the suspect allegedly gained access.
San Diego Youth Services said it is making trauma-support services available to residents and staff affected by the incident. The organization also said it is reviewing its staffing procedures, physical security and other measures at the property. The nonprofit provides housing and other services to young people, including some who have experienced homelessness or have been involved in the foster-care system.
One resident told local media that her apartment also had been entered while she was away. She said screens were damaged and items inside the unit had been disturbed. Other residents said the alleged assault and break-ins had raised concerns about security at the complex.
The victim’s family said in court that she did not know Yanez and described the alleged attack as random. Police have not publicly released a detailed account of how Yanez allegedly entered the property or each apartment. Investigators with the San Diego Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit are continuing to investigate the case.
Yanez remains in custody and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. His next scheduled court date is Sept. 3, when the criminal case is expected to continue.
Author note: Last updated August 27, 2026.