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Suspect Sought In Stalking, Sexual Assault Of Legally Blind Woman In Cupertino

CUPERTINO (CBS SF) – Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies are asking for the public's help in identifying a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman who is legally blind in Cupertino earlier this year.

On the afternoon of May 5, the victim was walking to her workplace near Stevens Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road when she was approached by the suspect. Deputy Russell Davis told KPIX 5 it began when the suspect spotted the victim coming out of a café.

"The suspect made flirtatious advances towards her. She respectfully denied him," Davis said.

The suspect then followed the victim into a nearby Target store, where deputies said he was captured on the store's surveillance cameras from multiple angles.

Cupertino sex assault suspect
Cupertino sexual assault suspect (Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office)

"He was able to follow her without her knowledge and follow her from a distance to keep an eye on her," the deputy said. "Pretty much he was stalking her."

Davis said the victim left the Target store and was followed for a quarter mile by the suspect. In the parking lot, the suspect then grabbed the victim from behind and attacked her.

Following the assault, deputies said an eyewitness approached the suspect, who ran through the parking lot and later fled in his vehicle.

"In broad daylight, a legally blind victim, walking up to her and taking advantage of her is a very coward move," Davis said.

Deputies released dashcam video of the suspect as he was spotted in the parking lot and while he was running from the eyewitness.

The suspect is described as a man in his 20s or 30s, standing 5'10" to 6' tall, weighing about 200 to 240 pounds.

He was last seen driving a silver 2003-2007 Scion xB hatchback, with no front license plate and colorful objects on the dash, which appear to be model cars, deputies said.

Cupertino Sexual Assault Suspect Vehicle
Scion xB hatchback driven by suspect linked to sexual assault in Cupertino on May 5, 2021. (Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office)

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office at 408-808-4500. Tips can be given anonymously at 408-808-4431 or by emailing SO.website@shf.sccgov.org.

Kiet Do contributed to this report.

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