Man Sexually Assaulted, Robbed On Palo Alto Trail: Police

PALO ALTO, CA — Palo Alto authorities are searching for a suspect who robbed and sexually assaulted a man Monday morning on a trail and fled the scene on the victim's e-bike.

According to police, the victim called 911 just after 10 a.m. and told dispatchers he was robbed and assaulted on the Adobe Creek Loop Trail in the Baylands Nature Preserve around 9:45 a.m.

Officers responded to the scene and were unable to find a suspect. The victim told police he had been riding his bicycle south of the Compass Rose area of Byxbee Park when he stopped to use his cell phone. While he was on the phone, the victim said a man tackled him and started searching his pockets.

Police said the suspect then forcibly removed the victim's pants and sexually assaulted him before stealing his bicycle and fleeing southbound with the victim's pants and wallet.

The victim described the suspect as a man in his early 20s, possibly white, wearing a black sweatshirt and white shorts.

"No similar crimes have occurred in Palo Alto recently," police said in a news release. "Detectives are seeking witnesses who were on the trail Monday morning and may have seen something relevant to this incident."

Anyone with information that could help identify the suspect can contact dispatch at 650-329-2413 or leave an anonymous tip at 650-383-8984.