The Willow Glen Resident

Man arrested for indecent exposure near WG school

Police seek information about similar incidents

By Cecily Barnes

A 33-year-old man was arrested Sept. 29 following reports that he was masturbating in his truck across the street from Willow Glen Elementary School.

According to San Jose Police Department spokesman Louis Quezada, police received a 911 call at about 9 a.m. regarding the incident and soon after apprehended Fernando Martinez at Hamilton and Bascom avenues. After being identified by a witness, Martinez was booked into Santa Clara County Jail and charged with indecent exposure.

The suspect was spotted in his yellow 1980 Toyota pick-up by a 30-year-old Willow Glen woman, who was walking to her car parked behind Starbucks.

"She put her child in the car seat and noticed that the suspect, in this case, was masturbating," Quezada said. "She was very concerned about the suspect and his actions, especially around the nearby elementary school."

After writing down the license plate number of the truck, the woman drove to a phone booth and called 911. According to police, Martinez made no attempt to contact or speak with her. The woman described the suspect and his vehicle for police dispatchers, who searched the area.

SJPD Officer Dale Harris spotted the yellow pick-up at Hamilton and Leigh and stopped the driver at Bascom Avenue. After identifying him as the suspect, Harris booked Martinez into jail. The San Jose Police Sexual Assault Unit is looking for people who may have spotted this suspect on other occasions.

"There is a potential for other victims who have not reported this incident," Quezada said. "We are hoping that they come forward."

Anyone with information regarding related cases is urged to contact the SJPD's sexual assault investigators at 277-4102. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the San Jose Police Crime Stoppers Program at 947-STOP.

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