A Redwood City resident and registered sex offender, George Bautista Zarate, 32, was arrested after sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The incident occurred last Wednesday, when the victim, remaining confidential, and her 13-year-old friend encountered Bautista Zarate in a parking garage at around 10 p.m., according to the Redwood City Police Department.

Police responded to reports of the young girl's return to her residence in a state of intoxication. It was discovered that Bautista Zarate encountered the pair as they were seeking to consume alcohol in the garage. He provided them with marijuana and encouraged them to drink. The victim's friend left, and Bautista Zarate seized the opportunity to assault the girl sexually. She managed to distract him enough to eventually stop the attack and safely return to her home, where she detailed the encounter to the officers.

Following the description provided by the victim, detectives could rapidly identify Bautista Zarate and execute a search warrant at his apartment. They uncovered several pieces of evidence linking him to the crime. He was apprehended soon after the search and is now facing multiple charges, including sexual assault of a person under 18, sexual assault with an intoxicated person, and furnishing cannabis to a minor.