Jeffrey Lynn Miller Jr., courtesy of Sanford Police Department

Sanford police arrested a man early Tuesday morning they said was caught attacking and attempting to sexually assault the clerk at a Circle K convenience store.

Jeffrey Lynn Miller Jr., 28, of Maple Avenue in Sanford faces charges of first degree kidnapping, attempted first degree forcible rape, assault inflicting serious injury and interfering with emergency communications.

Police responded to a disturbance the Circle K at 809 Carthage St. around 4:39 a.m. on Tuesday and said they found Miller actively assaulting the victim, a female store clerk. According to a press release, police believe Miller entered the store, immediately went behind the counter, and began assaulting the clerk, striking her in the head and face several times and knocking her to the ground.

Police said Miller began attempting to sexually assault the victim once she was on the ground. When officers arrived, they said Miller was trying to drag the victim into the store’s office.

Police were able to intervene and take Miller into custody. The victim, whose name is not being released, sustained severe head trauma and was taken to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill for treatment.

Miller was placed in the Lee County Jail under $500,000 secured bond.