Sonoma Man Accused In Sexual Assault Of Girl On Trail: Police

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Sonoma man is accused of indecent exposure and trying to rape a teenage girl Thursday night in Sonoma, the city's chief of police said. The girl told police that around 7:25 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, she was walking a bicycle-pedestrian path near the Sonoma Police Department, 175 1st St. West, when a man grabbed her buttocks and thighs in an attempt to bring himself closer to her, police Chief Orlando Rodriguez said in a news release.

The girl told police she slapped the man's hands away from her, but he grabbed her again in the same way. She gathered her strength and pushed the man away, at which point she saw his face but also saw him unzip his pants and expose himself to her, Rodriguez said.

The girl continued to walk away but the man reportedly grabbed her for a third time from behind, in the same manner as before.

She again pushed him away but this time, she started yelling at him which she said prompted him to run off — and gave her a chance to call police.

Deputies "immediately" checked the area and detained a possible suspect but when the victim said he was not the person who attacked her, he was immediately let go, the chief said.

Two days later, on Saturday, the girl saw the man she believed was her attacker so she took a photo and sent it to the Sonoma Police Department.

She told police the suspect was currently at the Field of Dreams Park, 121 1st St. West, so deputies went to the park where she pointed out the suspect.

Sonoma police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Ruben Reyes-Gallardo, of Sonoma, who is on probation for a drug-related conviction.

Reyes-Gallardo was arrested not only on suspicion of violating his probation, but also on suspicion of attempted rape, sexual assault and indecent exposure, the chief said.

Reyes-Gallardo was booked into Sonoma County jail at 7:23 p.m. Saturday. His bail was set at $31,000, and he remained in custody Wednesday morning pending a court appearance set for Thursday morning.

"I want to commend the victim for her bravery and for immediately reporting this to police and helping us solve the case," Rodriguez said. "This appears to be an isolated crime and a random act by the suspect."