WARNING: SFPD says this man is wanted for suspicion of sexual battery, allegedly attacked several women on @sfmta_muni. #SanFrancisco pic.twitter.com/Mhh9Vs6aNc
— Lilian Kim (@liliankim7) April 4, 2017
Days after local news media was blanketed with reports on a man who allegedly groped and rubbed against women as they rode Muni, police say they've made an arrest but refuse to identify their suspect.
You likely saw the story on one outlet or another this week: A Muni rider identified only as "Michelle" alleged that a man rubbed against her and groped her as they rode the N Judah on March 30, subsequently posting his photo to Facebook (that's it above) and saying that she'd seen him exhibit the same pattern of battery toward other female riders.
In an email sent to media at 8:40 Tuesday, San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Officer Grace Gatpandan said that the suspect had been arrested in the Haight and faces numerous misdemeanor charges:
San Francisco Police were notified of a sexual battery incident occurring on the N Judah Muni LRV line last Thursday, March 30, 2017. An officer from Taraval Station met with the victim and filed an incident report. The SFPD Special Victims Unit opened an investigation into the matter and reached out to both the March 30th victim and individuals who reported via social media that they also were victimized or witnessed criminal behavior. A picture of the suspect was disseminated to Muni Division officers and a crime alert with specifics of the incident as well as the photo of the suspect was emailed to all officers.In less than 24 hours, Richmond Station officers were able to identify the suspect. Park Station officers located the suspect at Carl and Stanyan Streets and took him into custody without incident. The suspect, a 45 year old white male, is being charged with multiple misdemeanors including sexual battery, sexual battery on public transportation, continuing offense of public nuisance and one felony count of false imprisonment.
But though the charges under which he was booked are free to share, his identity is apparently still under wraps, as Gatpandan says that pending identification matters mean police won't release his mug shot and name for now.
As result of the coverage, police say that four victims have come forward — and it seems reasonable to assume that there are more out there. If you believe you've been battered by the suspect, or have any information on the case, police ask that you call the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message.
Previously: Police Search For Man Accused Of Series Of Sexual Assaults On Muni