Man accused of stabbing pregnant woman in Mira Mesa pleads not guilty

SAN DIEGO (CNS) — A man who allegedly stabbed a pregnant woman multiple times at a Mira Mesa ATM in what a prosecutor described as a “premeditated and unprovoked attack” pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges including of attempted murder. .

Cole Klemke, 27, is accused of assaulting the victim — who was four months pregnant — around 10 a.m. Saturday near the Target store on Mira Mesa Boulevard.

Assistant Prosecutor Spencer Sharpe alleged that Klemke observed the victim for about a minute from across the parking lot as she stopped at the ATM and got out of her vehicle to reach the machine.

After withdrawing money, the prosecutor said Klemke approached her, then stabbed her in the face, slit her throat, pushed her to the ground and continued stabbing her.

Sharpe said the victim was able to fight off Klemke and he fled the scene. Surveillance footage captured the entire encounter, the prosecutor said.

Police said the attack happened without any words being exchanged between the victim and her attacker before she was stabbed.

Sharpe declined to discuss the victim's condition Thursday, but said she has since been released from the hospital. Police arrested Klemke a day after the attack. He remains in custody without bail following his arraignment Thursday afternoon.

Klemke faces up to 14 years and ten months to life in prison if convicted of all charges. In addition to attempted murder, he is accused of mutilation and theft in connection with the stabbing.

He is also accused of vandalism and brandishing a knife in connection with another incident that allegedly occurred two weeks before the stabbing.

Sharpe said that on June 1, Klemke approached a man who was driving to work. The prosecutor said Klemke stood in front of the man's vehicle, carved an X into the victim's hood with a knife and asked the man to get out of his car, but the victim drove off.

Officers arrested Klemke in connection with that alleged incident, but the case was still being reviewed by prosecutors when the June 15 stabbing occurred, Sharpe said.

Court documents say family members also requested a restraining order against Klemke, citing incidents of violent threats against his parents. The documents say family members sought treatment for him for mental health and substance abuse issues, but Klemke refused.