Marinscope
A woman hiking in the Boyd Park Open Space said she was stalked and then grabbed by a man seeking to assault her sexually.
The San Rafael Police Department on Thursday, Aug. 18, received the 911 call from hiker and began an extensive five-hour search for the man.
Later that afternoon officers on social media said they “captured Connor John Hanley, a 33-year-old San Rafael resident. He was wanted in connection with an attempted sexual assault that took place earlier in the day.”
The search began just before noon. A woman hiker said she encountered a man along the south-facing portion of San Rafael Hill. The man, she said, threatened her and followed her on the open space fire road.
Officers immediately responded to make sure the victim was safe and to locate the man. As officers were converging, a Marin County Radio technician working at the San Rafael radio tower advised police dispatch that they were watching the suspect. The technician provided a description of the suspect.
Officers located the victim and began the investigation into what occurred. During the investigation, it was determined that Hanley, who the victim does not know, physically grabbed and threatened to assault the woman sexually. The woman, however, broke free and called the police.
Police said: “A few minutes later, additional officers located Hanley, who refused to stop and comply with directions. Hanley threw a rock at an officer, and a foot pursuit ensued along the steep, heavily wooded hillside. During the chase, Hanley burrowed into heavy brush and was no longer seen. Officer established a large perimeter around the open space area and called for additional resources to assist.”
A five-hour-long search ensued, which involved SRPD Officers, the department’s K-9 Unit, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and their UAV Team, and the California Highway Patrol’s Helicopter.
SRPD also broadcast a Nixle Alert to the San Rafael Hill and Downtown communities advising of the police activity and the suspect’s description.
Just after 5 p.m. SRPD received 9-1-1 calls from the Culloden Park neighborhood, located at the southwestern base of San Rafael Hill, from several residents who observed the suspect. SRPD Officers responded to the scene and took Hanley into custody without additional incident.
The victim was not physically injured in this incident, and supportive resources were made available to her.
Connor John Hanley was booked into the Marin County Jail on charges of 220 PC – assault to commit sexual assault, 245(a)(1)PC – assault with a deadly weapon, 69 PC – aggravated resisting a peace officer, and 148(a)(1) PC – obstruct/resist a peace officer. The case will be forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office.
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