Accused sex assault suspect denied bail, investigators say may be more victims
An accused sex assault suspect will sit behind bars while waiting for his trial to begin. Meanwhile, investigators say there may be more victims that could come forward.
Prosecutors in Santa Clara County on Wednesday said they will try Eduardo Antonio Chararria-Diaz for crimes allegedly committed in Alameda County as well as the one in Palo Alto. His wife tells KTVU police have the wrong man, and that he’s innocent. But prosecutors say there’s forensic evidence and the two witnesses strengthen their case.
Charvarria-Diaz was segregated from other inmates and wore a detention jump-suit as he sat in a corner, partially shield by his defense lawyer. Superior Court judge Vincent Chiarello reviewed police reports of two sex assaults, one in Palo Alto and the other in Oakland, and then denied bail, saying there’s “clear and convincing evidence” that a release would result in harm to others.
“These are horrific, violent, unprovoked attacks on two Bay Area young women and our thoughts and hearts are with them today,” said Santa Clara County deputy district attorney Lindsay Walsh. “It’s my job to make sure he’s held fully accountable for these attacks.”
She says forensic evidence ties Charvarria-Diaz to two sex assaults in two counties last month. On March 28, detectives say Charvaria-Diaz attacked a 14-year-old girl as she jogged in a Palo Alto park. The victim was pulled down an embankment into bushes, duck taped, and sexually assaulted at gunpoint.
On March 4, a woman in her 30s was sexually assaulted at gunpoint as she sat in her car in an Oakland park. Prosecutors say the fact he’s linked to two crimes on opposite sides of the Bay leads them to believe there could be more victims waiting to come forward.
“I really encourage anyone with any information, whether you suspect or not, just please call the Palo Alto police department,” said Walsh.
Charvarria-Diaz is scheduled to be back in court May 15, at which time he may enter a plea. If convicted of the charges, he faces life behind bars without the possibility of parole.