Police are searching for a known sex offender who attempted to assault and kidnap two young females in South San Jose in separate incidents last week, according to the San Jose Police Department.
David Lee Russell, 56, a transient and convicted sex offender with prior violent assaults against women, first assaulted and attempted to abduct a young female in the area of Meridian and Hamilton avenues at about 5 p.m. Aug. 29, police said.
Alesandria Maltese works in the area.
"I deliver food, and now I really don't feel safe when someone like that is out there," Maltese said.
Then on Sept. 1, about 5 p.m., Russell assaulted and attempted to kidnap a young female in the area of Hillsdale and Narvaez avenues, police said. The incident happened just a few steps from the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education Center.
Linda McCowan lives nearby and said she didn't know about the attack until Sunday.
"I was home at the time, and that is really frightening," she said.
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Russell is considered extremely dangerous, police said. He is a transient known to frequent San Jose.
"He attacked these women and tried to pull them into his own car," said Sgt. Enrique Garcia, a police spokesman.
Russell is described as a white male about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with gray or salt-and-pepper hair and goatee, and is believed to be driving a newer model white Nissan Rogue with no plates.
But Garcia said it's possible Russell may not be driving the same vehicle and could attempt similar crimes on other locales.
"Even though he was seen driving a Rogue, he is an experienced criminal; he could easily dump that car and borrow or steal another car," Garcia said. "The fact is the crimes took place in San Jose, but everyone in the Bay Area should be on the lookout for him because it's quite possible he may have moved on to another county."
Alison Kranich, who has a 9-year-old daughter, said she is fearful knowing Russell may still be in the community.
"It's very scary," she said. "I am going to keep my daughter right next to me when I am out and even when I am close to home. Especially knowing he attempted these kidnappings and didn't succeed, it makes me very nervous he's gonna keep trying."
According to the Megan's Law database, Russell's last known address was an apartment on Bascom Avenue in San Jose.
Anyone with information regarding Russell’s location is asked to contact Detective Michael White of the San Jose Police Department's Robbery Unit at (408) 277-4166. Those wishing to remain anonymous may either call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, (408) 947-STOP (7867), or click the "Submit a Tip" link.
Persons providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect may be eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers.
