South Bay Sexual Assault Suspect Sought

PALO ALTO, CA — Authorities are asking for the public’s help investigating a sexual assault over the weekend in Palo Alto.

The assault occurred early Saturday morning at the Palo Alto Transit Center on University Avenue, police said.

The suspect is at unknown and at large, the Palo Alto Police Department said.

The victim suffered minor injuries, police said.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 40s, about 6 feet 3 inches tall with a lanky frame and a beard, police said. He was wearing an orange beanie at the time of the assault.

At around 2 p.m. Saturday a nurse at a local hospital where the victim was receiving medical treatment reported that the crime had occurred overnight, police said.

Investigators determined the victim been had ridden a bus from South San Francisco and exited at the Palo Alto Transit Center at 95 University Avenue when the bus reached the end of the line.

The suspect, who had been the only other passenger on the bus, also exited and attacked her near the portable restrooms and sexually assaulted her, police said.

The victim believes the assault occurred between 2 and 3 a.m., police said.

Police said the case is under investigation, and that no recent similar crimes reported to authorities in Palo Alto.

“The victim may be able to work with a police artist to produce a sketch of the suspect,” police said. “If that occurs, we will release that sketch as soon as it is available.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the PAPD’s 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.