Two women were raped in unrelated incidents in Morgan Hill last week, and police are still looking for one of the suspects.
The incidents happened in Morgan Hill Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Morgan Hill police Sgt. Rod Krewson.
In the first incident, an 18-year-old woman reported to police that she was
sexually assaulted Tuesday while visiting an acquaintance at an auto repair shop in Morgan Hill, Krewson said. The acquaintance, Eladio Cruz Facio of San Jose, allegedly sexually assaulted the woman.
Facio is still at large and is wanted on charges related to the sexual assault, Krewson said.
Morgan Hill Detective Mindy Zen said the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office will likely review that case next week.
On Wednesday, police received a 911 call from a 33-year-old woman who reported she had been kidnapped and raped, Krewson said.
During an investigation, the suspect was identified as Roberto Andres Lopez, 33 of Morgan Hill, police said. Lopez was located later that day and arrested for his alleged involvement in the sexual assault.
Lopez and the victim did not know each other prior to the incident, Zen added.
Police declined to provide details about how Lopez kidnapped the victim out of fear of compromising the ongoing investigation. Police also did not disclose the location of the incident.
Lopez was charged by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office with one count of forcible rape with special circumstance, one count of sexual penetration with special circumstance, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of false imprisonment, Krewson said.
The deadly weapon charge is related to the suspect’s use of his hands to strangle the victim, Zen said.
Sexual assault is a crime that is “very common and under reported,” according to a leading social services agency called Community Solutions. Victims can seek confidential services and advocacy from the nonprofit which serves South County, according to Program Director Perla Flores with the agency.
Data suggest one in five women will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives, Flores said.
“We should all be aware of what’s going on, and be supportive of individuals who are assaulted through no fault of their own,” Flores added.
Anyone with information about these incidents or with information leading to the whereabouts of Eladio Cruz Facio can call the Morgan Hill police department at (408) 779-2101, or the anonymous tip line at (408) 779-7867.
