SAN DIEGO, CA — A San Diego restaurateur was arrested this week on suspicion of sexually assaulting two women last spring at his downtown eatery, authorities said Tuesday.
The women, who are in their 20s, were assaulted May 27, 2023, inside the lounge at Chefs SD at 531 F St. in San Diego, according to the San Diego Police Department.
During the investigation, the women identified the suspect as Geoffrey Enrico Cole, 41, the owner of the restaurant, Lt. Dan Sayasane said. The restaurant has since been closed.
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Police arrested Cole Monday in the 1000 block of 5th Avenue in San Diego, Sayasane said. He was booked into San Diego County Jail on suspicion of sexual battery and indecent exposure. He posted bail and is not currently in custody, but is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at San Diego Superior Court.
“We hope there are no other victims but would like to see if there were any additional victims or witnesses,” Sayasane told Patch.
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Cole was arrested hours after a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of his new downtown restaurant, BAD, which stands for Brunch After Dark.
In a statement on social media, Cole declared his innocence and said he would “pause all current business ventures in the city of San Diego until further notice.”
“I don’t know any of the details for any of the crimes that I am accused of,” he wrote on Instagram. “I don’t know who the alleged victims are either.”
Anyone with information was asked to call the department’s Sex Crimes Unit at 619-531-2210 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
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