Police continue to patrol area in search of man who attacked two
women
Gilroy – Nearly two weeks after a man attacked two women on the Uvas Creek Levee, police officers are still searching for viable leads in the case.
“We sent out 1,500 flyers in the neighborhood,” said Detective Mitch Madruga. “The sketch we had done (of the suspect) was displayed on local news stations.”
On Sept. 11, a man described as Hispanic, between 18 to 25 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing 175 to 190 pounds, grabbed a woman at 9:46am and tried to force her into the bushes surrounding the levee. The suspect had black hair and brown eyes, and wore a black or blue hooded sweatshirt at the time of the attack, according to officers. Both women described him as having a lazy left eye. The first woman was jogging northbound on the levee, near the Wren Avenue dead end, when she passed the suspect who stood on the edge of the path. When she turned to jog southbound, the suspect stepped in front of her.
She stopped a resident and called the police for help. All officers on duty responded and began searching the area for the suspect. While police searched for the suspect, a second woman said she was attacked about a half-mile north of the first attack.
Officers have interviewed both victims again, but still have few clues about the suspect.
“We are still pursuing it,” Madruga said. “But we have received very few leads.”
The police have continued to patrol the levee area by bike and have had anti-crime officers jogging the pathway in plainclothes. Madruga urged that residents to use caution and stay aware whenever they are out alone.
“Parts of the levee are very isolated so they need to continue to be aware,” Madruga said.
Police are investigating the incidents as attempted sexual assaults/kidnappings. Anyone with information about the case may contact the Gilroy Police Department at 846-0350.
