EL CERRITO — Authorities looking for a suspect in a sexual battery that happened against a person with sight and hearing problems have identified him and are again asking the public to help in the search for him.
In a statement, El Cerrito police against released a photo of the man suspected in the Nov. 13th attack. Police said the suspect is 28-year-old Hugo Ortigoza, who last resided in Richmond.
Investigators have obtained a warrant for Ortigoza’s arrest on suspicion of felony sexual battery of a seriously disabled subject, police said.
The attack happened about 3:30 p.m. in a secluded residential area on Stockton Avenue near Elm Street. According to police, the suspect followed his victim for several city blocks, then slapped her butt when they both were in the secluded space. Police said he then ran away.
Investigators identified him after receiving tips from people who saw pictures of the suspect that circulated from police from video surveillance footage of businesses in the area.
Police asked anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to contact Det. Michael Olivieri at molivieri@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us or 510-820-3061.
Source: www.mercurynews.com