East Palo Alto Home Invader Still At Large: Considered armed and Dangerous, Police Warn

EAST PALO ALTO — The residents of East Palo Alto are living on edge as Juan Tapia Ortiz, a 46-year-old man accused of sexual assault, remains free and potentially armed. As reported on Mercury News, Ortiz allegedly broke into a local home and committed sexual assault on June 3.

(East Palo Alto PD)

This unseemly event has reverberated through the community, as Ortiz has yet to be apprehended and is considered to be armed and dangerous. As a measure of caution, the East Palo Alto Police Department urges that civilians do not attempt to confront or stop Ortiz if they cross paths with him.

In the wake of the crime, facts have been sparse. Now, the storyline revolves around the manhunt. The police have released scant information about the event out of concern for the victim's privacy. They have also refrained from sharing if Ortiz and the victim were previously acquainted.

In response to this grave incident, both city and county law enforcement agencies have escalated their efforts to capture Ortiz. On June 13, the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office did issue a $100,000 arrest warrant for Ortiz.

The police department encourages those with information about the suspect's whereabouts to come forward.