SAN JOSE — Police are identifying and detailing the arrest of a registered sex offender accused of snatching a teen girl off a downtown street then sexually assaulting her earlier this week.
The crimes were reported Wednesday morning around 10:40 a.m. by a 15-year-old girl who said she was walking to school and was near South Third and East San Fernando streets when a man drove up to her and offered her drugs, according to San Jose police news release issued Friday.
Soon after, the girl told police, the man forced her into his car and drove her about a mile east to 17th and East Santa Clara streets and sexually assaulted her. The man then reportedly dropped her off at her school, and the girl alerted authorities.
SJPD sexual assault detectives were summoned to investigate the report, and police drew on a suspect description, a vehicle description, and automated license-plate reader cameras to track a potential suspect. Aided by a police helicopter, investigators found a matching car near the residence of the man who was arrested later that day in connection with the attack.
Police identified the suspect as 51-year-old Marlo Porter, a San Jose resident and registered sex offender who was convicted of sex crimes with a minor in 2006 and indecent exposure in 2018, according to state records. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault with a minor, and was being held without bail as of Friday.
“By combining technology with dedicated police work, we were able to identify and arrest this suspect within hours rather than days,” Police Chief Paul Joseph said in a statement. “That rapid response matters.”
Because of Porter’s history, detectives are exploring the possibility that he has other unreported victims. Anyone with information for police can contact the SJPD Sexual Assault Investigations Unit at 408-277-4102 or email Detective Davis at 4686@sanjoseca.gov. Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.
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