Cold Case: Redwood City Rape Suspect Extradited To SMC, Charged

REDWOOD CITY, CA — A suspect pleaded not guilty Thursday in Redwood City after he was extradited back to the U.S. for charges in a 1992 sexual assault and burglary case, San Mateo County prosecutors said.

Jose Perez, 52, and another person allegedly entered the victim's apartment on Sept. 29, 1992, while she was asleep, pinned her down, threatened her, covered her mouth with a cloth and the two allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times.

Prosecutors said a neighbor allegedly heard the victim screaming and called police.

The alleged sexual assaults were interrupted when police knocked on the door to the apartment. Perez allegedly escaped through a window.

The co-defendant, Jose Zamperio, who was sentenced in 1993 to 35 years in state prison, was found hiding under the victim's bed when police arrived that day.

Prosecutors said an arrest warrant was issued for Perez after his vehicle was allegedly found nearby. Perez was found in Mexico and extradited back to the U.S. and he remains in custody on $2,650,000 bail. Perez is set to be back in court on April 3.

Perez's attorney Jeff Jackson could not immediately be reached for comment.

— By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock