Suspect Accused Of Sexual Assault In Palo Alto Arrested Saturday

PALO ALTO, CA -- A suspect was arrested Saturday afternoon at the transit center on University Avenue on suspicion of sexual assault of a woman who was attacked while walking on a neighborhood sidewalk alongside Castilleja Avenue near Miramonte Avenue two days before at 6:04 p.m.

Marcelo Garcia Martinez, 28 -- a transient, was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of sexual assault. Martinez has an outstanding misdemeanor warrant on a city code violation as well.

The preliminary investigation by Palo Alto police reveals the woman in her 30s was screaming when a male suspect came from behind and put his hand over her mouth. The suspect pushed the victim down into the bushes. During the struggle on the ground, the suspect began to punch her in the face repeatedly. Neighbors heard the screams and came outside, which scared the suspect away.

The victim suffered bruising and swelling to her face and a shoulder injury, but she declined medical attention. A neighborhood search with a K9 was conducted, but the suspect was not located at the time.

Nothing was reported as stolen from the victim.

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

--Image courtesy of Palo Alto Police Department