Police issued the public safety warning specifically for residents in the Gramercy Place neighborhood in East San Jose, where they say the sexual assault suspect may be on the loose.
The attack happened around 6 p.m. Saturday. A 14-year-old girl and her friend were walking on a pedestrian bridge near Highway 680. A man approached the girls and asked to use a cell phone. One girl offered him hers phone and the other girl continued walking. After a while, the second girl realized she had lost track of her friend and called police to report her missing. Police called her friend's cell phone and the victim answered, saying she was still on the bridge and needed help.
When officers arrived at the scene they found the girl as well as the suspect, lingering behind her. He took off running and the officers gave chase but lost him in the Gramercy Place neighborhood.
So far, the suspect is only described as short, heavyset, and possibly in his early 30s, with light facial hair. Residents, especially females, are reminded to be aware of their surroundings, to not walk alone, to be wary of any strangers who approach, and to remember that the suspect's M.O. is to ask for a cell phone.
