Suspect Arrested In Series Of Nob Hill Groping Incidents

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - San Francisco police have arrested a man on suspicion of groping and sexual assaults on women in the Nob Hill section of San Francisco.

Victor Vazquez faces seven charges including sexual assault and false imprisonment. Those charges stem from alleged incidents with three different women.

"He would walk up quickly, grab his victims inappropriately and then take off," said Lt. Edward Santos, SFPD Special Victims Unit.

In one case prosecutors say Vazquez lifted a woman's skirt and groped her privates. Police are now are trying to determine if open cases dating back to August may be related to these alleged crimes.

Vazquez was arrested after he was spotted drinking a beer at Huntington Park in front of Grace Cathedral Wednesday night. After further investigation, he was linked to the later crimes.

During his initial court appearance Monday, bail was set Monday at $400,000. Police have not released a booking photo of Vazquez pending the investigation of other potential crimes.

Officers have been cautioning pedestrians in the Nob Hill neighborhood about a groper for months. In November, police released a sketch and a public warning that a man was approaching women and grabbing them from behind.