In what has quickly spiraled into a disturbing series of public indecencies, Mountain View police have arrested a man linked to multiple sexual assault incidents, including lewd acts in a Goodwill store and sexual battery in a Walmart. The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Thomas Serna, a Mountain View local, is at the center of a widening investigation that may just be revealing the surface of his alleged criminal behaviors.
According to the City of Mountain View's statement, it was on February 20 when police first received a call reporting an indecent act. A female victim was confronted by Serna, who proceeded to openly masturbate before fleeing. The next day brought a similar scenario, this time with the suspect inappropriately touching another female victim while she shopped at Walmart. The descriptions in both instances strikingly matched those of Serna. Detectives are now exploring the possibility that these events are connected to equally troubling events in a Sunnyvale CVS store last November and January.
The break in the case came on February 22 when Serna, seemingly unfazed by the search for him, brazenly returned to the Goodwill store where one of the alleged incidents occurred. Police were able to arrest him this time promptly. Serna faces charges that include indecent exposure, sexual battery, lewd conduct, and resisting or delaying an officer, as was stated in the official report.
Investigators have now made a public appeal, suspecting Serna may have claimed more victims than currently known. Anyone with information is urged to come forward and contact the appropriate authorities quickly. Mountain View PD Detective Lauren Riffel, reachable at [email protected], and Sunnyvale DPS Detective Kira Ochoa, whose email is [email protected], are leading the search for any further individuals who might have been subjected to Serna's actions.
