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Police arrest man suspected of attempting to rape Menlo Park woman

Victim was jogging when reportedly attacked

A 19-year-old East Palo Alto man was arrested in Menlo Park on Monday on suspicion of attempted rape, according to a statement from the Menlo Park Police Department.

Police received a call at 4:41 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17, from a 33-year-old Menlo Park woman who said she was the victim of an attempted rape near Oak Court and Woodland Avenue.

According to police spokesperson Nicole Acker, the woman was out jogging when the suspect approached, then grabbed her and tried to drag her into the bushes. The suspect then grabbed her phone and threw it so she couldn't use it.

The woman fought back and managed to break free before retrieving her phone and calling 911, Acker said.

The suspect fled the scene on foot down Oak Court toward Menalto Avenue, according to police.

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Within two minutes, an officer arrived and detained the suspect, who matched the woman's description, Acker said. The suspect was then questioned, positively identified by the victim, and booked into the San Mateo County jail.

He faces charges of attempted rape, sexual battery, kidnapping, and preventing the use of a cellphone. Police believe he was acting alone and do not believe he poses further risk to the public.

The Menlo Park Police Department is urging anyone who has additional information regarding this incident to contact Detective Josh Russell at 650-330-6300 or the Menlo Park Police anonymous tip line at 650-330-6395.

Editor's note: The Almanac's policy is to withhold the names of those arrested for most crimes until the District Attorney has determined there is sufficient evidence to file charges in the case.

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Kate Bradshaw writes for The Almanac, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.

Kate Bradshaw
   
Kate Bradshaw reports food news and feature stories all over the Peninsula, from south of San Francisco to north of San José. Since she began working with Embarcadero Media in 2015, she's reported on everything from Menlo Park's City Hall politics to Mountain View's education system. She has won awards from the California News Publishers Association for her coverage of local government, elections and land use reporting. Read more >>

Follow Palo Alto Online and the Palo Alto Weekly on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

Police arrest man suspected of attempting to rape Menlo Park woman

Victim was jogging when reportedly attacked

by / Almanac

Uploaded: Tue, Sep 18, 2018, 12:16 pm

A 19-year-old East Palo Alto man was arrested in Menlo Park on Monday on suspicion of attempted rape, according to a statement from the Menlo Park Police Department.

Police received a call at 4:41 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17, from a 33-year-old Menlo Park woman who said she was the victim of an attempted rape near Oak Court and Woodland Avenue.

According to police spokesperson Nicole Acker, the woman was out jogging when the suspect approached, then grabbed her and tried to drag her into the bushes. The suspect then grabbed her phone and threw it so she couldn't use it.

The woman fought back and managed to break free before retrieving her phone and calling 911, Acker said.

The suspect fled the scene on foot down Oak Court toward Menalto Avenue, according to police.

Within two minutes, an officer arrived and detained the suspect, who matched the woman's description, Acker said. The suspect was then questioned, positively identified by the victim, and booked into the San Mateo County jail.

He faces charges of attempted rape, sexual battery, kidnapping, and preventing the use of a cellphone. Police believe he was acting alone and do not believe he poses further risk to the public.

The Menlo Park Police Department is urging anyone who has additional information regarding this incident to contact Detective Josh Russell at 650-330-6300 or the Menlo Park Police anonymous tip line at 650-330-6395.

Editor's note: The Almanac's policy is to withhold the names of those arrested for most crimes until the District Attorney has determined there is sufficient evidence to file charges in the case.

Kate Bradshaw writes for The Almanac, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.

Comments

Really
Charleston Meadows
on Sep 19, 2018 at 8:57 am
Really, Charleston Meadows
on Sep 19, 2018 at 8:57 am
New Resident to PA
Crescent Park
on Sep 19, 2018 at 9:18 am
New Resident to PA, Crescent Park
on Sep 19, 2018 at 9:18 am
R. Davis
Crescent Park
on Sep 19, 2018 at 9:42 am
R. Davis, Crescent Park
on Sep 19, 2018 at 9:42 am

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