A man accused of attacking one of his co-workers in a berry field in north Whatcom County was charged with second-degree attempted rape Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 1, according to court documents.

Francisco Juan Diego-Esteban, 32, was booked into Whatcom County Jail July 29 after a woman told sheriff's deputies that he had tried to rape her July 27, said Whatcom County Undersheriff Jeff Parks.

The 28-year-old woman said Diego-Esteban had been touching her buttocks and thighs throughout the week while they worked, Parks said.

Diego-Esteban grabbed the woman's legs and tried to pull her from a berry-picking machine while the two were working July 27, according to court documents. Diego-Esteban ripped the woman's shirt, exposing her breasts, before she was able to run away, Parks said.

Diego-Esteban warned the woman not to tell their supervisor or report the incident, according to court documents.

Reach SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL at samantha.wohlfeil@bellinghamherald.com or 360-715-2264.