Alert Mountain View residents who reported a prowler to authorities helped police arrest a transient man believed responsible for attacking a woman just hours before.
Suspect Sergio Martinez, 30, is charged with attempted rape, attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment and prowling in connection to the crimes, which took place Friday (July 19) and Saturday (July 20) in and near Creekside Park. The park is located in the 200 block of Easy Street by Highway 85, and the Stevens Creek Trail runs through it.
At approximately 9:42 p.m. Friday, a man came up behind a 29-year-old woman who was walking in the park while listening to a podcast, according to a Mountain View Police Department press release. The man put his hand over the woman’s mouth, lifted her off the ground and attempted to carry her off.
“The woman bravely fought back and began kicking and screaming,” according to the release.
The suspect became spooked when two passersby noticed the commotion, and he released the woman and ran away, according to the release. Police officers who responded to the scene could not immediately find the man, but they arrested Martinez in the same neighborhood at approximately 3 a.m. Saturday after residents reported his lingering presence. Further investigation revealed he was the same man who attacked the walker.
“The great work between the patrol teams and the investigators brought a swift resolution to this case,” Lt. Armando Espitia said in the release. “Our officers were alert, they pieced information together quickly, and our investigators were incredible in helping start to close out this terrifying experience. We will continue to stay vigilant and to work to keep our community safe.”
Anyone with information about other crimes Martinez may have committed is encouraged to contact MVPD Detective Robert Medina at [email protected].
