SJPD Arrests Rape Suspect

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

On May 8th, 2021, at approximately 2:45 am, the San José Police Department responded to the 300 block of South First Street on a reported sexual assault. Upon further investigation, Officers learned a suspect followed the female victim into the entrance of her apartment building where he physically and sexually assaulted her. Although the victim is Asian, currently we do not believe this assault was racially motivated.

On May 10th, with the assistance of the Department’s Street Crimes Unit, detectives from the Sexual Assault Investigation Unit identified the suspect as twenty-year old Cristobal Fuentes-Melara. Fuentes-Melara was located within hours of being identified and taken into custody without incident. Fuentes-Melara was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for rape, aggravated kidnapping, and various other sexual assault related charges.

Anyone with information about this case or other cases involving this suspect is asked to contact Detective Palacio #4237 of the San José Police Department’s Sexual Assault Investigations Unit at 408-277-4102.

Persons wishing to remain anonymous may either call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (408) 947-STOP (7867) or click the "Submit a Tip" on the link below. Persons providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect may be eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers.