Billy Patton booking photo
SANTA CRUZ — Police have arrested 34-year-old transient Billy Patton (again) after a sexual assault at the Walgreens on Front Street in Santa Cruz, less than 24 hours after his release from county jail on Monday.
On Tuesday shortly before 10 AM, Santa Cruz officers responded to Walgreens to take reports of a past-tense sexual assault. The victim, a 25-year-old female employee whose identity is being kept confidential, told them that a man had entered the store asking to use the restroom. Some businesses have restrooms that must be unlocked by staff upon request. When she opened the door, the suspect pulled her inside and assaulted her.
She was able to fight him off and scream for help, which flagged the attention of another employee who came to her aid. The suspect fled after the victim had already suffered multiple injuries to her hands while fighting.
She was able to provide officers with a detailed description of the suspect. CCTV footage taken from the store’s cameras confirmed his identity.
A B.O.L.O. bulletin was issued and, within 15 minutes, an officer spotted Patton down by the San Lorenzo Levee under the Broadway Bridge. He was taken into custody without incident on charges of intent to commit rape, false imprisonment, sexual battery, and burglary. Bail was ultimately set at $250,000.
Patton has a lengthy history of altercations with Santa Cruz Police, having been arrested numerous times on numerous charges including assault to commit rape, stalking, false imprisonment, illegal weapons, and drug violations.
