San Jose seeks public’s help in search for sexual assault suspect

Police said the suspect is aware he is wanted.

SAN JOSE — Authorities have identified a man suspected of sexually assaulting a girl last month and are asking for the public’s help to find him.

Police in a statement put out Tuesday morning identified the suspect as 50-year-old Julian Salvador Martinez, a homeless man who frequents areas in San Jose. They said he is aware he is wanted and has been kicked out of the encampment he normally frequents.

Martinez is known to frequent the creek area adjacent to Keyes Street and Senter Road, an area known as “The Jungle,” as well as the area of East Williams Street and South 10th Street, police said.

Authorities suspect Martinez of sexually assaulting the girl about 5:25 p.m. in the area of South 11th Street underneath the Interstate 280 underpass on April 9. According to police, the girl was walking home from school northbound on South 11th Street when somebody riding a dark-colored bicycle approached her and pulled her underneath the freeway underpass.

The suspect prevented the girl from leaving, but police said she eventually fought him off. After that, the suspect left on his bicycle, police said.

Martinez is described as a 50-year-old Hispanic man standing 5 foot 11 inches tall and having a medium build, with dark hair and a thin mustache. Police said he was wearing a black baseball cap with yellow lettering and a black sweatshirt with white lettering when the assault happened. They added that he also had light-colored pants with black sneakers.

Police urged anyone with information to contact Det. Tyrell Addy at 408-277-4102 or 4738@sanjoseca.gov. Anonymous tips can be left at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org or 408-947-7867.