Man sought in groping of woman near downtown last weekend

Incident was reported Saturday afternoon on the 400 block of Middlefield Road

PALO ALTO » Authorities were searching for a man who allegedly groped a woman over the weekend near downtown Palo Alto.

The incident was reported at 4:33 p.m. Saturday on the 400 block of Middlefield Road, near Lytton Avenue, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release Monday.

Officers arrived at the scene moments later and searched the area, but they did not find the suspect.

An investigation revealed that the victim, a woman in her 60s, had been walking northbound on Middlefield Road when a bicyclist rode up behind her and grabbed her buttocks with one hand, police said. The victim yelled at the suspect, but he continued riding.

Police said the victim tried to take out her cellphone to photograph the suspect, but she fell and injured her hand. She was not able to take a picture of the suspect or see his face.

The suspect was described as a White or Latino man in his 30s, with light brown hair. He last was seen wearing a light orange T-shirt and either dark blue or dark gray shorts.

Palo Alto Fire Department paramedics treated the victim for her injury, police said.

There have been no similar cases in Palo Alto recently, police said, adding that due to the victim’s age, the suspect could face a charge of misdemeanor elder abuse in addition to misdemeanor sexual battery.

Anyone with information related to the case can contact the Police Department at 650-329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or text 650-383-8984 or email paloalto@tipnow.org.