San Rafael Attempted Sexual Assault Suspect ID'd: Cops

SAN RAFAEL, CA – A five-hour search for an attempted sexual assault suspect that involved a K-9, a drone and a helicopter, ended with the arrest of a Marin man Thursday evening, the San Rafael Police Department said.

Connor John Hanley, 33 of San Rafael, was arrested and booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of attempted sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting a peace office and obstructing a peace officer, police said.

The case will be forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office.

The victim suffered no physical injuries, but police said supportive resources will be made available to her.

Just before noon, police responded to the Boyd Park Open Space along the south-facing portion of San Rafael Hill on the report of a female hiker who alleged that a male suspect was threatening and following her on the open space fire road, police said.

As officers converged a Marin County Radio technician working at the San Rafael radio tower advised our dispatch that they were watching the suspect and provided an additional suspect description.

The hiker told officers that the suspect grabbed her and threatened to sexually assault her, police said. She was able to break free and call the police.

Officers located Hanley, but he refused to stop and Hanley threw a rock an officer before leading authorities on a foot pursuit along the steep, heavily wooded hillside, police said.

During the chase, Hanley burrowed into heavy brush and was no longer seen. Officer established a large perimeter around the open space area and called for additional resources to assist.

The search involved SRPD officers, the agency’s K-9 unit, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies drone, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter.

As a part of the search effort, SRPD broadcast a Nixle Alert to the San Rafael Hill and downtown communities advising of the police activity and the suspect’s description.

Hanley was arrested at around 5 p.m. after several Culloden Park neighborhood residents saw the suspect and reported his location to police.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call San Rafael Police at (415) 485-3000. Tips can also be made online here.