Sex Offender Tries To Rape Woman In Peninsula Parking Lot: Police

SAN MATEO, CA — A San Mateo man is behind bars Thursday, accused of trying to rape a woman in a local parking lot. The man was arrested Wednesday night after someone called to report two people having sex in the area — and police said they found out there was much more to the case.

At around 5:11 p.m., police went out to the first block of 42nd Street to look into what was going on.

"When officers arrived at the location, they located an adult woman who was intoxicated and at points unresponsive," SMPD said in a news release. "The victim expressed to officers that the sexual contact with the unknown man was against her will."

After speaking with a witness in the area, police searched nearby and found 34-year-old Eli Joseph Walker, officials said. Walker is a registered sex offender.

After linking Walker to the crime, police said they arrested him on various assault charges. Jail booking records show he was taken to the Redwood City jail on charges of Attempted Rape of an Intoxicated Victim, Oral Copulation of an Intoxicated Victim, Sexual Battery of a Subject that is Severely Disabled, Assault to Commit Rape, and Probation Violation.

"SMPD is thankful to the alert community member who immediately contacted police and enabled the quick capture of a sex offender," police said.

— Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone