Woman fights off rape attempt in park, police say
MOUNTAIN VIEW >> A 29-year-old woman kicked and screamed her way out of the clutches of a man in Mountain View who was attempting to carry her away Friday, police said Saturday.
Officers arrested 30-yearold transient Sergio Martinez on suspicion of attempted rape, attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment and prowling.
The woman was walking in Creekside Park, located on the 200 block of Easy Street near the intersection with Gladys Avenue, about 9:42 p.m. She was listening to a podcast, police said, when a man came up from behind, put his hand over her mouth, lifted her off the ground and tried to carry her away, police said.
But she fought back. The woman kicked and screamed, drawing the attention of two people walking nearby who heard the ruckus and walked toward the noise. The attacker dropped the woman and ran away, police said.
Officers combed the area but couldn’t find him.
A few hours later, at about 3 a.m. on Saturday, callers reported a prowler not far from the park. Officers investigating the calls spotted Martinez, who matched the description of the attacker from earlier that evening, and detaining him on suspicion of prowling. The officers brought him back to the police station for further questioning.
At the station, police said, detectives determined Martinez was the man who attacked the woman at the park just a few hours prior.
Mountain View police Lt. Armando Espitia lauded the work of his colleagues in nabbing the suspected kidnapper and rapist.
“Our officers were alert, they pieced information together quickly, and our investigators were incredible in helping start to close out this terrifying experience,” Espitia said in a statement on Saturday. “We will continue to stay vigilant and to work to keep our community safe.”
Detectives suspect there may be other victims. Anyone with information related to this case or other possible incidents involving Martinez are encouraged to contact Mountain View police Detective Robert Medina at robert.medina@mountainview.gov.