Police Investigating Two Sex Crimes on Labor Day; Sketches Released

Published on September 11, 2020

Palo Alto, CA - Police are investigating two sex crimes against women in Palo Alto parks on Labor Day that they believe were committed by the same suspect. Police are hoping that two sketches will generate tips that will help to identify the suspect.

On Monday, September 7, 2020 at about 9:30 a.m., our 24-hour dispatch center received a call of an indecent exposure that had just occurred at El Camino Park at 155 El Camino Real. The investigation revealed that the suspect had approached the victim, a woman in her twenties, as she was practicing soccer by herself. The man complemented her appearance in Spanish, and then watched her from about 50 feet away. He then exposed himself to her. When she went to retrieve her cell phone to call for help, he walked away.

At about 10:29 a.m., our 24-hour dispatch center received a call of a sexual battery that had just occurred at Timothy Hopkins Creekside Park in the 500 block of Palo Alto Avenue. The victim, a woman in her twenties, reported that she and her boyfriend had been taking a nap on the grass. She was awakened by the unknown suspect touching her private parts over her clothing. Her boyfriend woke up and challenged the suspect, who left on foot.

Due to the geographic proximity, the timing of these two incidents, and the similar suspect description, detectives believe the same suspect is likely responsible for both crimes. The two victims described the suspect as a Hispanic male between 40 and 50 years of age, about 5'8" to 5'10" tall. He was wearing a tan or gray T-shirt, jeans, a hat, and work boots. The indecent exposure victim reported that he had been carrying a beer. Both victims independently met with a police sketch artist later in the week, who produced the two sketches attached to this release.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call our 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to (650) 383-8984.