A perpetrator suspected of committing multiple sexual assaults in the San Mateo County area has been apprehended. The swift action taken by local residents and law enforcement authorities has likely thwarted what could have quickly escalated into a more dangerous and widespread problem.
As previously reported by Hoodline, a suspect on a mountain bike had targeted a 28-year-old woman on Spur Trail near Millbrae Avenue on August 13th, 2023. In a subsequent and eerily similar incident, another woman, aged 38, fell victim to the same suspect near Poplar Avenue on August 15th, 2023.
According to a San Mateo Sheriff Facebook post, swift action was taken by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office to bring the culprit to justice. They established a multi-pronged strategy that included deploying undercover decoys and plainclothes detectives for surveillance in the impacted areas. Uniformed patrol deputies were also assigned to help safely escort community members in the vicinity of the reported incidents.
On August 19th, 2023, the combined efforts of the community and law enforcement came to fruition. As reported by the San Mateo Sheriff Facebook, an alert community member called the San Bruno Police Department, which led to the arrest of a suspect wanted for the aforementioned sexual assaults. The individual, identified as Jaime García Mogollan, was found in San Bruno City Park and matched the description of the suspect wanted in connection to these incidents. San Mateo County Detectives, already in the area working on the case, responded quickly and located key evidence linking Mogollan to the previously reported assaults.
UPDATE: Jaime Garcia Mogollan, 40, arrested in gropings of women on Spur Trail & near Poplar & Champagne in Millbrae, per @SMCSheriff, crediting witness who spotted him acting suspiciously in @CityofSanBruno City Park & notifying @SanBrunoPolice pic.twitter.com/ilbeg8tErL
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) August 20, 2023
As a result, Mogollan was apprehended and subsequently booked at the Maguire Correctional Facility. Authorities suspect that he may be involved in additional unreported incidents of a similar nature and have called for potential witnesses or victims to come forward. Detective A. Baggetta of San Mateo County is the primary contact for individuals with any information regarding these incidents or related matters, and can be reached at 650-363-4192 or through email at [email protected]. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office also accepts anonymous tips via their tip line at 1-800-547-2700.
