Novato Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested

NOVATO, CA — A Novato man was arrested Wednesday in connection with an alleged sexual assault earlier this week, police said.

The incident was reported by the female victim who went to the police station Tuesday at around 9:20 a.m. asking for help according to the Novato Police Department.

The woman had torn clothing and injuries consistent with a sexual assault, police said.

Police identified the suspect as 43-year-old Byron Osmar Barrera Lopez, whom the woman knows.

The woman told officers Lopez made sexual advances towards her after her husband left for work, police said.

Lopez sexually assaulted the woman after she denied his advances, police said.

She was able to escape the assault and fled the residence according to police.

Police investigators on Wednesday at around 2:30 p.m. located Lopez in downtown Novato and took him into custody.

Lopez was arrested on suspicion of assault with the intent to commit rape, attempted rape and penetration with a foreign object among other charges according to police.

Lopez was booked at the Marin County Jail.

Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation and the need to protect the victim’s identity, we will not be releasing any further information at this time.

Arrestee: Byron Osmar Barrera Lopez, Hispanic Male Adult, 43 years old, Novato resident.

On Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 9: 21 AM, a female victim came to the Novato Police Department lobby in need of immediate assistance.

The female reported having just been sexually assaulted inside a residence in North Novato.