2 Girls Grabbed On El Cerrito Path, One Choked: Police

EL CERRITO, CA — Two girls, ages eight and nine, were grabbed by a man that El Cerrito Police say confessed that he planned to sexually assault the girls. Forty two-year-old Freddy Penate-Melara of Richmond has been charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office in the case and is being held in jail with bail set at $2.5 million.

The girls were walking along the BART path behind the father of one of the girls on Thursday, Jan. 24, adjacent to the DMV building. Police say Penate-Melara approached the girls and grabbed one by the arm, but she was able to break free. That's when, police say in a statement, "Penate-Melara then grabbed the second girl, pinned her on the ground and began to choke her. Penate-Melara then fled southbound on the BART path when the father was alerted to the incident."

Police were called and an officer quickly located Penate-Melara near the entrance to the DMV. He was positively identified by a witness and arrested.

The police statement reports, "While at the ECPD, investigators spoke with Penate-Melara and learned he had intentions to sexually assault the girls."

If you witnessed anything that day, contact El Cerrito Police Department Detectives at 510-215-4400 or email investigations@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us

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— Image via El Cerrito Police