Mountain View Attempted Rape Suspect Arrested: Police

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual assault in connection with an incident that occurred Friday night at Creekside Park, the Mountain View Police Department reported.

Officers responded at 9:42 p.m. to a report of a 29-year-old woman who was attacked while listening to a podcast and walking in Creekside Park located on the 200 block of Easy Street, police said. She told officers a man came up from behind her and put his hand over her mouth, then lifted her off the ground and attempted to carry her off. The victim added she fought back, kicking and screaming.

Two bystanders walking nearby heard the disturbance and approached the scene. The suspect became spooked, let go of the woman and ran away, police added.

Officers immediately responded to the area and began looking for the suspect to no avail.

However, officers subsequently responded to reports of a prowler on the 200 block of Easy Street on Saturday at 3 a.m. As they investigated, one of the officers spotted a man walking away from the area who matched descriptions provided by the victim and the witnesses related to the attempted assault.

The man identified as 30-year-old transient Sergio Martinez was detained for prowling and brought back to the station for further inquiries. Through the course of the investigation, Mountain View detectives had determined that Martinez was the same man who had attacked the woman in Creekside Park on Friday evening.

He was taken into custody on accusations of attempted rape and kidnapping as well as false imprisonment. He also faces prowling charges, police indicated.

Mountain View detectives are looking into the possibility that Martinez may have additional victims. Anyone who recognizes the man or who has information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Robert Medina at robert.medina@mountainview.gov.