Man Arrested at Boyd Memorial Park Accused of Attempted Sexual Assault
Photo: Stock Image
Written By: Jim Emerson
SAN RAFAEL — A woman hiking at Boyd Memorial Park managed to escape an attempted sexual assault on August 18. The man suspected of accosting her was arrested in the park after a five-hour search.
The victim phoned San Rafael police shortly before noon. She reported a man was following her on the fire road near San Rafael Hill and that he was threatening her.
A technician working at a radio tower observed the suspect and reported it, as officers were arriving on the scene. Upon locating the victim, officers learned she was grabbed and threatened with sexual assault, before running away.
Officers located the suspect a few minutes later. However, he evaded them and apparently hid in heavy brush on a steep hillside. A perimeter was set up. An SRPD K-9 unit was dispatched, and other agencies responded to help search for him.
Marin County Sheriff’s Office deputies deployed an aerial drone, and California Highway Patrol dispatched a helicopter to monitor the area.
The suspect identified as John C. Hanley, 33 of San Rafael, was located and arrested at 5:09 p.m. Hanley was taken into custody after residents in the nearby Culloden Park neighborhood reported seeing him in the vicinity.
Hanley was booked at Marin County Jail on open charges, including assault with attempt to commit rape. Other charges include obstructing/resisting an officer. His case will be forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information can contact the San Rafael Police Department at 415-485-3000, or email http://www.srpd.org/tips.
