The Willow Glen Resident Around the Glen Bus riders' cries help stop Willow Glen sexual assault Passengers riding on a bus through Willow Glen last Wednesday night observed a young man sexually assaulting a woman at a bus stop on Willow Street and Spencer Avenue. Outraged, the passengers and driver began screaming through the bus windows, causing the suspect to take his hands off the woman and flee. The victim, a 42-year-old woman, had approached the bus stop just before 8 p.m. on Jan. 6 and had taken a seat on the bench. According to witnesses, a Hispanic male in his mid to late teens, wearing a silk Raiders Jacket, sat down next to her a short time later. "He attempted to engage her in conversation at which time he began to inappropriately touch her," said Louis Quezada, spokesman for the San Jose Police Department. "The victim resisted and at that time the bus pulled up." The suspect fled southbound on Spencer Avenue, and is still at large. He is described as 5-foot-5 and 100 pounds. The woman was unharmed, and after submitting a police report, boarded the bus. "To my knowledge this is the only incident we've had like this in the area," Quezada said, "however it's very alarming." Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the San Jose Police Department's Sexual Assault Unit at (408) 277-4102. --Cecily Barnes Citizens are being asked to shape libraries' future For anyone who has ever used a public library, now is a good time to get involved in giving back to this important community resource. Branch Facilities Plan Workshops, held over the next several weeks throughout the city of San Jose, seek input from library users in shaping plans for the future. The workshops are a result of the approval of the 2020 Library Master Plan, adopted last year by San Jose's City Council. Goals include accommodating population growth and adding new technology to aging facilities. And who better to ask than library fans. The second of three meetings, in Willow Glen, was held Monday night, so it isn't too late to get involved in the process and voice opinions in shaping the future of libraries. For more information, call 277-4822. --Mary Spicuzza Burger King veteran buys local franchise Willow Glen's Burger King, tucked inside the Garden Theater on Lincoln Avenue, has changed ownership. John Haile from Milpitas purchased the restaurant in December. Haile proudly explains that he began as a Burger King "crew member" 17 years ago and worked his up through the ranks. "I became one of the best managers in the whole company," he boasts. After packing away some money, Haile bought part of a Burger King in Richmond and ran that business with a partner for many years. Recently however, he sold his interest in order to have a Burger King of his very own. Although most aspects of Willow Glen's Burger King will remain the same, Haile has a few minor changes planned. Whereas the restaurant used to close Sunday, it will now be open. "Also, we're likely to order some milkshake machines," Haile said. "And we'll get some more crew members." --Cecily Barnes Still-nameless homeless man found dead on Willow Street Police and coroners are still withholding information, pending notification of next-of-kin, about a homeless man who was found dead last week in Willow Glen. The man was found Thursday, Dec. 31, in a side yard at 204 Willow Street. Until the man's family can be found, officials will not reveal the cause of death, according to departmental policy. --Eric Johnson [ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Willow Glen Resident, January 13, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.