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Suspect sketch
SJ police alert state agencies to suspected child molester
DNA from suspect in WG case matches three other cases
By Kate Carter
The San Jose Police Department Nov. 14 issued a statewide alert for the suspect in an April sexual assault on a Gardner Academy student just east of Willow Glen. Recent results of DNA testing by the California Department of Justice link the suspect to three other child molestation cases in California since the spring of 2000.
"This just tells other agencies, 'Hey, look, pay attention to this,'" said police spokesman Joseph Deras of the alert.
The announcement was made after police confirmed with other state law enforcement agencies that the suspect in the San Jose case is the same suspect in similar cases in Redwood City, East Palo Alto and Santa Ana, Deras said.
Deras said police have not yet been able to identify the suspect.
"It's just a matter of time," he said. "He will be caught."
The incident just outside Willow Glen occurred April 26, as the 7-year-old Gardner second-grader walked alone to school at about 8 a.m. Police say a man lured her onto the Guadalupe River bed under the railroad trestle, near the intersection of Willow Street and McLellan Avenue, threatened her with a knife or sharp object and sexually assaulted her, then left on a blue bicycle.
San Jose police arrested a man matching the suspect's description on April 29. He was later cleared by a DNA test.
The incident in East Palo Alto occurred Oct. 30, 2000 at about 3 p.m. Police say an 8-year-old girl walking home from school was approached by a man riding a black, gray and white bicycle. They say he kidnapped her and took her to an isolated area where he sexually assaulted her.
The incident in Santa Ana occurred April 22, 2000 at about 3 p.m. A 9-year-old girl was riding her bicycle in Santa Ana when she almost collided with a man riding a blue bicycle, police said. The girl rode away, returned shortly and was approached by the man who asked her where he could fix his bicycle. She directed him to a nearby Target store. When he asked her to accompany him, she refused, and he then threatened to kill her if she did not go with him. He took her to a building under construction, where he sexually assaulted her.
The incident in Redwood City occurred Mar. 19, 2000 at about 1:10 p.m. Police said a man approached a 7-year-old girl and asked her if she would help him fix his black and brown bicycle. After she helped him, he placed her on a piece of wood on his bicycle, took her to a field area near railroad tracks and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint.
In the San Jose, Santa Ana and Redwood City incidents, the suspect spoke to the victims in Spanish, police said, but they believe he is bilingual. Police described the suspect as a Hispanic male, 35-45 years old, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall with a chubby build, dark wavy hair, a mustache and a growth of beard.
San Jose police also describe the suspect as an "extremely dangerous child predator" who likely travels throughout California by bus or train and probably frequents homeless shelters or encampments.
Deras said San Jose police confirmed last week with East Palo Alto police that the suspects in their cases were likely the same person. He also said San Jose Police Detective Erick Enderle met with police in Santa Ana Nov. 13 to discuss the case there.
Deras said the alert could help police and sheriff's departments throughout the state identify similarities between cases they may have and these four. He said he didn't know if the suspect's DNA would be compared to that of suspects in other states.
On June 13, San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales announced a $10,000 reward for information about the San Jose incident. It was the first reward of the "Mayor's Safe Families and Neighborhoods Reward Fund," that was established through efforts of the mayor and city council, the police department, community organizations and individuals, specifically Willow Glen resident Paula Lee.
Deras said the reward is still available for this case.
Police are asking people to notify police if they have any information on the cases, 408.277.4102, and call 911 immediately if they see the suspect. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers, 408.947.STOP.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
