Woman fights stranger as he sexually assaults her on trail, escapes, CA cops say
A 21-year-old man accused in the “violent” sexual assaults of two women on a California trail has been arrested, police say.
Pablo Chan was booked into jail on multiple felony counts, the San Jose Police Department said in a June 6 news release.
Officers responded to a report of a sexual assault on Los Gatos Creek Trail in San Jose just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, police said.
The woman told officers “she was walking on the trail when she was violently thrown to the ground” by a stranger “in an unprovoked attack,” police said.
The man started to sexually assault her; however, the woman fought back, escaped and called for help, according to police.
After speaking with the woman, officers searched the area but could not find the man, who police say fled after the alleged assault.
While investigating the incident, police said another woman came forward and told officers of a “similar encounter” — “also on the trail, around the same time,” with a man who “who matched the description” from the first encounter.
Detectives confirmed both encounters involved the same suspect after speaking with the second woman, police said.
Officers identified Chan, who “had two outstanding misdemeanor warrants,” as a suspect in the alleged assaults, according to police.
He was arrested the next day, police said.
Chan was booked into jail on felony counts of aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault, as well as on counts from his outstanding warrants, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 408-277-4102, or email 4741@sanjoseca.gov.
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 10:39 AM with the headline "Woman fights stranger as he sexually assaults her on trail, escapes, CA cops say."
