Police arrest sex offender, say he chased women

San Rafael police arrested a man who allegedly chased three women Saturday morning about a week after he was released from jail as a highrisk registered sex offender, authorities said.

Willie Jones, 39, of San Rafael was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of stalking, trespassing and fleeing an officer, among other alleged violations.

At 6:55 a.m., police received a call from a woman reporting that a man approached her in Boyd Park and followed her for several blocks until she was able to outrun him, police said.

Police arrived and attempted to detain the man, but he ran away and got out of sight of the officers, police said. While searching for him, officers were approached by another woman who reported that she had been followed.

A third victim called dispatchers 20 minutes later reporting that she too had been chased. She told police she was able to run into her workplace and barricade herself from the man, who was pounding on her door, police said.

When officers arrived at her workplace, police said, Jones tried to run away again, but officers were able to form a perimeter around him in a parking lot on Fourth Street under Highway 101. Jones then climbed a ladder up to the roof of a building within the perimeter, police said.

A nearly twohour standoff ensued, ending with Jones climbing down and being taken into custody, police said.

After identifying Jones, officers learned that he had been released from jail Aug. 9 and was on probation as a highrisk registered sex offender.

Police request that anyone with information call 4154853000.

Pete Grieve is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pete.grieve@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@pete_grieve