GASTONIA, N.C. -- Police in Gaston County say an illegal immigrant kidnapped and tried to sexually assault two little girls Saturday.

They say Ramon Zamora-Solano, 41, told the girls to come into his apartment in Gastonia. The 6- and 5-year-old girls were playing outside at a birthday party on Duhart Avenue. Police say the girls said no, and Zamora-Solano hit them and dragged them into the apartment by their hair before locking the door.

The girls’ parents went looking for them, and found them in the apartment. They say Zamora-Solano’s pants were open, and one of the girls' dresses was pulled up. The girls’ fathers attacked Ramon Zamora Solano, leaving him bruised.

Zamora-Solano told a judge Monday he wanted to explain his side of the story. But the judge told him to talk to his lawyer first.