A registered sex offender is visiting Morgan Hill, Gilroy and
Pleasanton loitering around homes for sale, presenting himself as
having been guided by God to purchase a house, according to Morgan
Hill police Det. Kevin Beilmann.
Morgan Hill – A registered sex offender is visiting Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Pleasanton loitering around homes for sale, presenting himself as having been guided by God to purchase a house, according to Morgan Hill police Det. Kevin Beilmann.
Daniel Duran, 41, whose last known address is in San Jose has been reported hanging around real estate offices, homes for sale and real estate open houses. He was convicted of rape by force and assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation.
He is described as a Hispanic male, 5-feet, 10-inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with brown eyes and hair.
The Megan’s Law Web site reports he has a scar on his left forearm and an unspecified word tattooed on his chest.
Beilmann said he does not want the public to panic, just to be aware that Duran might be in the area. He advised realtors to keep in mind some common sense precautions.
“Double up when you can,” he said. “If you’re going to be alone at an open house, make sure you have a cell phone with you so you can call in if anyone suspicious comes in. If you do see someone that is suspicious or behaving in a bizarre way, make sure you call the office and let them know.”
Duran is allegedly asking people to pray with him, telling them he has been “guided by God to purchase a home.”
“He’s been going into open houses, cruising neighborhoods looking for homes for sale, like he is scoping the neighborhood for people of interest to him,” Beilmann said. “It’s pretty bizarre behavior, asking people to pray with him, portraying himself as a religious man. He dresses nice, wearing business attire, and he’s using the word of God to get people to let their guard. He doesn’t seen to have any means to purchase a home.”
Duran has been seen, Beilmann added, sitting outside homes for sale in a vehicle.
He was spotted on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and again on Sunday in Morgan Hill and was seen in Pleasanton Saturday.
“He has several vehicles registered to him, and apparently he targets open houses, just sits outside for several hours,” Beilmann said. “If he’s on public property, and he’s not doing anything, all we can really do is contact him.”
Beilmann said MHPD is recommending calling police if Duran is spotted.
“Obviously it is a concern, it should be a concern, but he does have a right to be on public property as long as he is not doing anything wrong,” he said.
