Sketch Of Sexual Assault Suspect Released By Palo Alto Police

PALO ALTO, CA -- Police have released a sketch pertaining to a suspect a woman says sexually assaulted and robbed her on early Monday morning.

Palo Alto officers have been combing the neighborhoods in search of the male suspect accused of approaching the woman in her 30s, asking for spare change, hitting her head and back, assaulting her and stealing her wallet out of her jacket pocket.

The incident allegedly occurred at the 100 block of Everett Avenue. The woman told police she screamed and fought back. The man fled on foot heading eastbound on Everett then northbound on Emerson Street.

The victim then drove herself to the police station where paramedics from the Palo Alto Fire Department responded to treat the victim, who complained of pain to the back of her head.
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The victim described the suspect as a white male in his late 20s to mid-30s, standing about 5 feet 11 inches tall with a skinny build. He had brown or dirty blonde long straight hair, an unkept beard and a beanie with a pompom on top.

Detectives are actively investigating this case. It is not related to two other recent sexual assaults in Palo Alto, and detectives have arrested the suspect in each of those two cases.

Sexual assaults committed by strangers are exceptionally rare in Palo Alto. However, three such cases have been reported within three weeks, making for a highly unusual trend.

Police recommend that people remain aware of their surroundings at all times and promptly report suspicious behavior immediately to law enforcement.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the 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. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the free mobile app, downloadable at www.bit.ly/PAPD-AppStore or www.bit.ly/PAPD-GooglePlay.

--Image courtesy of Palo Alto Police Department