Man arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman in her 70s

By the Daily Post staff

Police today (April 14) announced the arrest of a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 70s in a downtown parking lot.

On Friday (April 9) at 9:18 p.m., police dispatchers got a call from the  victim who wanted to report harassment by a man she knew. She said the harassment was occurring on an ongoing basis at Cogswell Plaza, located at 264 Lytton Ave.

Officers responded and interviewed the woman, who lives in the downtown area with all her belongings, according to police.

The victim reported that at around 10 p.m. on April 5, she was sleeping in City Parking Lot “C” at 451 Ramona St., adjacent to Cogswell Plaza, when she was awakened by the suspect.

The suspect demanded sexual intercourse from her and she refused, police said. The suspect then punched her, kicked her, and held her down while he sexually assaulted her, according to police.

When a car drove into the parking lot, the suspect fled on foot, police said they were told by the victim. The victim reported no physical injury beyond pain as a result of the suspect kicking her.

On Saturday (April 10) at 8:45 a.m., officers were conducting follow-up investigation with the victim in the 400 block of Ramona Street when they located the suspect walking down the street. They arrested him without incident.

Police booked Anthony Ray Drayton, 58, of East Palo Alto, into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for assault with intent to commit rape, sexual penetration, elder abuse, false imprisonment, and criminal threats (all felonies).

Drayton is on post-release community supervision out of San Mateo County for a prior conviction of felony assault on a police officer, police said. He will remain in jail due to the alleged probation violation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call  police at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to [email protected] or sent via text message or voice mail to (650) 383-8984.