Full Notification

A video version of this press release can be seen at: http://youtu.be/2XWRQ1XilS8

On Tuesday, 04/28/15, at approximately 6:00 PM, a 29 year old female reported being sexually assaulted on the Arroyo Trail in Livermore. The Livermore Police Department immediately began an intensive investigation of the incident. As detectives worked the investigation, evidence and statements were obtained that raised concerns about the validity of the reported assault. Detectives continued to work diligently to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and identify the suspect. It is imperative to the Department that all victims are treated as credible, and detectives took the time and effort necessary to ensure a complete investigation was being conducted. In the late evening hours on Thursday, 4/30/15, detectives met with the reported victim and discussed evidence they had gathered. While reviewing the case with her, the reported victim disclosed that she had fabricated the entire incident, and that no assault of any type had occurred.

As the investigation was occurring, the Livermore Police Department knew that it was vitally important to keep our community informed of the possibility that a sexual assault had occurred on the popular Arroyo Trail. The reported assault received wide spread media, and social media, attention focusing on the safety of the Arroyo Trail.

On Thursday, 4/30/15, at approximately 7:52 PM, a 23 year old female reported being the victim of a sexual assault on the Arroyo Trail. LPD immediately responded to the incident and requested the aid of both the Pleasanton Police Department and the California Highway Patrol in setting up a wide perimeter of the area in an attempt to locate the suspect. LPD deployed a wide variety of resources to quickly investigate this second reported incident. LPD detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. In the early morning hours on Friday 5/1/15, the reported victim recanted her statement with detectives as they discussed evidence that had been gathered. The reported victim admitted to fabricating the incident.

Both reported sexual assaults were false, and no sexual assaults have occurred on the Arroyo Trail. In the past three years there have been three reported sexual batteries on or near the Arroyo Trail. The Livermore Police Department takes all of these reports very seriously, and has expended considerable resources investigating them. LPD wants to ensure that victims of crimes feel comfortable coming forward and immediately reporting crimes that have occurred.

The Livermore Police Department routinely patrols the Arroyo Trails. The safety of our community members using the bike paths and trails in our community is very important to the Department. Officers have invested considerable time working in the area of the trails, contacting suspicious people, arranging for the cleanup of overgrown vegetation, painting over graffiti, and working with residents whose homes back up to the trails to ensure quality of life issues.

LPD encourages anyone needing mental health services to ask for help. Alameda County has a variety of mental health providers available at low cost and no cost. Anyone seeking mental health help is encouraged to call 2-1-1. 2-1-1 is a free, non-emergency, confidential, 3-digit phone number and service that provides easy access to housing information, and critical health and human services. 2-1-1 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with multi-lingual capabilities. Mental Health services can also be accessed by calling ACCESS at 1-800-491-9099. Information can be found online at www.alamedasocialservices.org.

While the two reported sexual assault cases were hoaxes, the Livermore Police Department would like to remind community members to be aware of their surroundings and proactive in reporting suspicious behavior or occurrences. LPD would like to provide some safety tips for our community members who are walking in Livermore.

Be alert and aware of what is occurring around you.

Don’t wear headphones covering both ears making it so you cannot hear what is occurring around you.

Be aware of your surroundings and avoid unlit locations and areas secluded from public view.

Walk with another person whenever possible.

Carry a cellular telephone. Program the direct phone number to LPD Dispatch into your phone, 925-371-4987.

Report suspicious persons and behavior to the police.