Public Notification of Arrest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

The San José Police Department's Sexual Assault Investigations Unit with assistance from the Special Operations METRO Unit arrested James Couch on March 7, 2022.

On October 27, 2021, a juvenile female victim reported that she was walking alone near Ida Price Middle School when the suspect stopped his vehicle next to her, asked her for directions, and exposed his genitals.

On November 3, 2021, a juvenile female victim reported that she was walking home on Coit Drive when the suspect stopped his vehicle next to her, asked her for directions, and exposed his genitals.

On December 15, 2021, a juvenile female victim reported that she was walking home on Leigh Avenue when the suspect stopped his vehicle next to her, asked her for directions, and exposed his genitals.

Based on the incident details, suspect description, and criminal pattern, all three incidents appeared to be connected.

SJPD sought the public’s help to identify the indecent exposure suspect. The suspect’s description, sketch, and vehicle information we re-released for possible leads on the investigation.

A new victim observed the press release and disclosed an unreported incident of indecent exposure in the same area. The victim provided similar details and description of the suspect and vehicle.

Furthermore, another juvenile victim of indecent exposure from approximately a year ago, observed the press release and believed her incident was connected based on the suspect sketch and vehicle details.

With assistance from the SJPD Crime Analysis Unit, Suspect Couch was identified as a possible suspect. Detectives again contacted the victims independently and Suspect Couch was positively identified as the perpetrator of the crimes.

Suspect Couch was arrested in Santa Clara and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on five counts of Indecent Exposure – PC 314.1 and three counts of Annoy or Molest a child under 18 years old – PC 647.6(a)(1).

Persons with information regarding these incidents or any other similar incidents are urged to contact Detective Chan #4370 of the San José Police Department's Sexual Assault Investigations Unit at (408) 277-4102 or at 4370@sanjoseca.gov.

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.svcrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.