Turlock police warn of recent assaults on women

Two women were assaulted in Turlock during the past week, and police are investigating whether the assaults were connected to as many as three others reported over the past few months.

The assaults occurred against women between the ages of 20 and 40 who were walking after dark in the northwest and southeast areas of the city, according to Turlock police Officer Mayra Lewis.

She said some of the assaults were sexual.

On Nov. 6, a woman was walking with her toddler near Rose Street and Sycamore Avenue when a man grabbed her and covered her mouth after she screamed, Lewis said.

The man threatened to harm the child if the woman fought but she scratched, bit and elbowed him. She freed herself and escaped with the child, Lewis said.

She revealed only that the assault occurred Wednesday night in the 2000 block of Alta Vista Street.

The man in both attacks is described only as 6 feet tall.

Lewis said the similarities of the two assaults prompted detectives to look back at similar cases over the past few months. As many as three others could be related, she said.

Turlock police are working with California State University, Stanislaus, and the Turlock Unified School District to share information about the assaults with students. A community meeting regarding the assaults will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Turlock Police Department, 244 N. Broadway Ave.

Turlock police are also partnering with the university to put on Rape Aggression Defense classes on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.

Lewis said women should be vigilant of their surroundings and walk in pairs after dark. Women should carry a cellphone to use in the event of an emergency, she said, but shouldn’t use it at the expense of being aware of their surroundings.

Anyone with information about the assaults can contact Detective Frank Navarro at 209-668-5550, ext. 6619.

To sign up for the Rape Aggression Defense classes, call Crime Prevention Officer Michelle Backeroff at 209-668-5550, ext. 6353.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Turlock police warn of recent assaults on women."