Fremont Man Arrested For Sexual Assault At Knifepoint In Milpitas

MILPITAS, CA — A Fremont man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at knifepoint in Milpitas. Another woman escaped by jumping out of a second story window, according to police.

Shandon Travalis Lawson, 26, was arrested after he allegedly brandished a knife at a 19-year-old Sacramento woman at the Brookside Inn on 400 Valley Way on Monday, Oct. 2, police said. The victim escaped by jumping out of a second-floor window and called police.

Police spotted Lawson in the area matching the description of the suspect, who was wearing a green construction safety vest, in the parking lot of the hotel. He was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on Oct. 3 with bail set a $1,605,000.

According to police, Lawson was connected to a sexual assault at the Baymont Inn and Suites at 66 S. Main St. on Sept. 26 reported just after 4 a.m. The victim in that case, a 21-year-old San Jose woman, said she was
forced to engage in sexual acts with a man wielding a knife and also wearing a yellow reflective safety vest.

Lawson is also accused of stealing cash and tying up the victim before fleeing the scene, police said.

In addition to the sexual assault allegations, he was also arrested on suspicion of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, strangulation, criminal threats, false imprisonment, assault with the intent to commit a felony and possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Lawson's next court date is Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse.

Anyone with more information on the case is asked to call Milpitas police at (408) 586-2400. Those wishing to offer anonymous tips can call (408) 586-2500.

-Bay City News contributed to this article; Image via Milpitas Police

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