SAN JOSE (KRON)—A sex offender accused of assaulting and trying to kidnap two young girls appeared in court Wednesday afternoon.

Transient David Lee Russell, 56, did not enter a plea and his next court appearance is on Sept. 14.

Russell’s left arm was in a cast when he appeared before Superior Court Judge Allison Danner at the Hall of Justice in San Jose Wednesday afternoon.

Danner issued a no-contact protective order for Russell on behalf of the two victims in the case and kept him in custody without bail.

He wore glasses and a jail uniform that consisted of a brown shirt and red pants.

Prosecutors plan to pursue a life prison sentence for Russell, Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Michael Amaral said after Wednesday’s hearing.

Russell tells KRON4 he had no idea police were looking for him until he was arrested.

“I know it’s all lies, I never tried to do anything that they said,” Russell said. “I never tried to take nobody in my car ever.”ADDITIONAL COVERAGE SAN JOSE ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING:

Russell was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of attempted kidnapping, attempted kidnapping to commit a sexual offense, assault with intent to commit a felony, and an outstanding no-bail warrant for misdemeanor DUI, police said.

On August 29, a young woman was walking on Meridian and Hamilton avenues when a suspect later identified as Russell assaulted her and tried to kidnap her.

A few days later on Thursday, the same thing happened to a young woman in the area of Hillsdale and Narvaez avenues.

Investigators were able to identify Russell as a suspect through security video obtained from a Goodwill of Silicon Valley store on Meridian Avenue, where the suspect was seen contacting one of the victims, Amaral said.

A still photo from the surveillance footage was distributed to the public. Someone recognized the suspect and notified authorities, according to Amaral.

“Identity could’ve been an issue, but the video helped establish who Mr. Russell was,” Amaral said.

In separate but similar situations, the defendant allegedly followed both victims, approached them, covered their heads with a sweatshirt and attempted to pull them into his vehicle, Amaral said.

The second victim was approached three days later, also around 5 p.m., in the southern area of the city by Hillsdale and Narvaez avenues, according to police.In both cases, bystanders caught Russell in the act. One was a man

In both cases, bystanders caught Russell in the act. One was a man who drove by and made a U-turn to stop the suspect, Amaral said.A witness in the other encounter was an employee working in the

A witness in the other encounter was an employee working in the area who saw the incident and ran closer to the crime scene, according to Amaral.Russell fled when he was spotted. The victims were left with minor

Russell fled when he was spotted. The victims were left with minor injuries, but didn’t need medical treatment, Amaral said.Investigators found Russell driving in a silver Hyundai Sonata

Investigators found Russell driving in a silver Hyundai Sonata near Oakland Road and Charles Street around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and arrested him, police said.Russell is a convicted sex offender who has violently assaulted

Russell is a convicted sex offender who has violently assaulted women in the past and found with an outstanding no-bail warrant for misdemeanor DUI at the time of his arrest, police said.The 56-year-old man has past offenses of sexual battery and

The 56-year-old man has past offenses of sexual battery and assault with the intent to commit a specified sex crime, according to his profile through the state Megan’s Law database.

Stay with KRON4 for updates on this developing story.