Teen arrested for alleged sexual assault in East Palo Alto

(KRON) — A 19-year-old Mountain View man was arrested on Friday after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman who was walking in East Palo Alto days earlier.

On Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 9:26 p.m., a patrol officer with the East Palo Alto Police Department came across a woman on Newell Road described by authorities as “distraught.” She told the officer that she had been walking home when a man sexually assaulted her. The suspect then fled in a sedan, the victim reported to police.

A review of surveillance video in the area and the Flock license plate reader camera network was able to track the suspect’s vehicle to Mountain View, EPAPD said.

Two days later, detectives found the sedan in Mountain View and contacted a man who was seen entering the vehicle. After talking, EPAPD said they had probable cause to arrest the man in connection with the sexual assault.

The suspect was identified by police as Steven Torres, 19, of Mountain View. According to investigators, Torres and the woman were strangers and had never met prior to the incident.

Torres was booked into the San Mateo County Jail for sexual battery and assault with the intent to commit felony sex crimes. Bail was set for $50,000 for each count. His next court date is set for August 21.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jose Luaorozco at jluaorozco@cityofepa.org or 650-853-3160.