PALO ALTO — A Stanford Health Care ultrasound technician arrested Wednesday stands accused of fondling two patients, according to Palo Alto police.
Mitchell Van Vu, 56, was arrested at his Bay Point home on suspicion of six counts of sexual battery after two men victims claimed he touched their genitals during ultrasound procedures, police said.
One of the men contacted Palo Alto police on April 10 claiming to have been sexually assaulted by an ultrasound technician at Stanford Health Care on 500 Pasteur Drive two weeks earlier. The victim said he was assaulted on two separate occasions and police identified Vu as the suspect with help from hospital staff.
A second man contacted police on May 16, alleging that Vu also fondled his genitals during a procedure the previous day. The man told hospital staff immediately following the incident and police said that the hospital placed Vu on administrative leave.
Police said a forensic medical examination was performed on the second victim and results of the exam were sent to both the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and a judge, who signed off on an arrest warrant. Vu was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.
A spokesperson for Stanford Medical Care did not immediately respond to a request for a statement.
According to authorities, Vu previously worked at other hospitals in the Bay Area and Cincinnati.
Police believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who believes they may be a victim or has information about Vu is asked to contact detectives at 650-329-2413. Tips can be left anonymously at 650-383-8984 or paloalto@tipnow.org.
Source: www.mercurynews.com