Crime & Safety

Runner Assaulted on North Santa Cruz Avenue

Police say victim was pepper-sprayed in the face by driver.

A runner was assaulted the morning of July 19 by the driver of an SUV who exited his vehicle and pepper-sprayed him, according to police.

Los Gatos-Monte Sereno officers are now looking for the driver, described as a white male adult, 6-foot-1-inches tall, about 50 years old, medium to heavy build, with possible brown hair and a deep voice. The vehicle is described as a light silver luxury four-door SUV with lightly tinted windows.

The incident occurred shortly before 8:17 a.m., when police responded to a report of an assault in the 600 block of North Santa Cruz Avenue.

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Upon arrival, officers found the 52-year-old runner at the 7-Eleven store at 657 No. Santa Cruz Ave., suffering from pepper spray being sprayed in his face and upper torso.

The victim told police that as he was running northbound on No. Santa Cruz Avenue, on the west sidewalk, the driver deliberately pulled forward at Thurston Street and No. Santa Cruz Avenue in what appeared to be an aggressive manner to block his path.

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The runner told police he tapped the vehicle as he ran around it and raised his arms up at the driver showing that he was upset he did not see him, police said.

As he continued running, the driver turned onto No. Santa Cruz Avenue, paced the runner and then made an abrupt left turn across the lanes of traffic, cutting off the victim on the other side street, according to police. 

The victim told police he stopped himself from running into the vehicle, the suspect backed up onto No. Santa Cruz Avenue and, most likely, parked his vehicle ahead of his path to get out of his vehicle and spray him in his upper torso and eyes and then flee the scene.

Police searched the surrounding area but did not locate the suspect or his vehicle.

Anyone with information about the assault is encouraged to contact Det. Corporal Mike Melton at 408-827-3235.


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