Suspect Arrested In Connection With 3 Assaults Of Women On Sonoma Co. Trails

Officers have arrested a man believed to be the suspect who’s been sexually assaulting women jogging or walking outdoors in recent months, the Santa Rosa Police Department said today.

Jason Frederick Hulac, 30, of Santa Rosa, was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a woman walking south on Coffey Lane a block south of Coffey Park on June 6.

A woman who was driving by the area said she witnessed the assault and described the suspect, police Sgt. Terry Anderson said. The woman stayed with the adult female victim until police arrived.

The victim said the suspect asked her if she wanted a hug and grabbed her by both arms when she said no, Anderson said. As the victim struggled to get away, the suspect touched her beneath her shirt and pants which he had partially pulled down, Anderson said.

The suspect ran off - possibly when the female driver turned her car around and returned to help the victim, Anderson said. Police then received information from other witnesses about a man who lived in the area.

Police went to the man’s residence and spoke to him about the incident before he was taken to the police department to be interviewed by sexual assault investigators, Anderson said.

Police arrested Hulac, who was booked in the Sonoma County Jail for assault with intent to commit a felony, Anderson said. Police requested $1 million bail because the case resembles two others in February and April, Anderson said.

Hulac’s next Sonoma County Superior Court date is June 29.

Hulac is suspected of committing a similar assault on a woman at Spring Lake Park in February and another on Round Barn Boulevard in April, Anderson said.

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Police received more than 20 tips naming those thought to be responsible for those offenses, but Hulac was not among the names mentioned, Anderson said.

One of the women previously assaulted said the suspect had physical characteristics similar to someone with Downs Syndrome, Anderson said.

“While this does not seem to match Hulac’s physical description, no further information related to the presence or absence of medical, mental health or developmental conditions will be released,” Anderson said.

--Bay City News