15-year-old girl taken, sexually assaulted while walking to school in SJ; suspect arrested

"SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A young girl is now recovering after being taken and sexually assaulted while walking to school in downtown San Jose. It's a nightmare scenario that all parents fear. Police say a 15-year-old was walking to school in downtown San Jose when a registered sex offender pulled her into his vehicle. Thankfully, she was let free - but the news struck fear in the community."

"Police have made an arrest in this case, thanks in part to license plate reader technology. MORE: 19-year-old man accused of sexual assault of child in SF bathroom charged with multiple felonies The suspect faces sexual battery charges, but police aren't releasing his identity until a later time. Mayor Matt Mahan touts the department for the fast arrest, but feels for the unacceptable situation this young girl was in. "As a father, as a parent, I can't imagine the fear," Mahan said. "And as I always say, it is important that the rest of the criminal justice system follows through." At a monthly meeting of the Community Advisory Committee Wednesday night, neighbors say that a member of the San Jose Police Department told them that the suspect of the sexual assault lives in the tiny homes along Branham Lane. Doyle lives near the interim housing site. She says the neighborhood has seen many issues from this site, including drug use, public intoxication and other dangerous acts."

A 15-year-old girl walking to school in downtown San Jose was taken into a vehicle by a registered sex offender and sexually assaulted before being released. Police made an arrest and credited license plate reader technology for helping lead to the suspect. The suspect faces sexual battery charges while police withhold the identity pending further procedures. Mayor Matt Mahan commended the quick arrest and urged the criminal justice system to follow through. Neighbors reported the suspect may live in tiny homes on Branham Lane and expressed ongoing safety concerns and incidents near the interim housing site.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco