Transient Accused Of Groping Jogger In Healdsburg: Police

HEALDSBURG, CA — Healdsburg police arrested a 20-year-old local transient Thursday night on suspicion of sexual battery of a female jogger on Sunday. The woman was jogging north on Grove Street around 8:25 p.m. when the man ran behind her and grabbed her buttocks, police said.

The suspect then walked toward the Healdsburg Community Center, climbed over a fence and walked south on the railroad tracks, police said.

A camera outside the Community Center took video of the suspect and police posted it on their website. A Healdsburg resident identified the man as Juan David Simonyi, Sgt. Nick Castaneda said.

Police were familiar with Simonyi from prior contacts involving illegal dumping and camping and they found him in downtown Healdsburg Thursday night, Castaneda said.

Simonyi admitted he assaulted the woman and apologized, and he was booked in the Sonoma County Jail for misdemeanor sexual battery. He posted bail and was released Thursday, Castaneda said.

Simonyi has no prior arrests, Castaneda said.

— Bay City News Service