The investigation relied on a past incident on file that was related to the “heinous” incident in Golden Gate Park, Cmdr. Tom Maguire said. Yep added that a tip from a parent provided an “invaluable lead.”
Police surveilled the suspect and then arrested Valle-Buitrago in Pleasant Hill. San Francisco prosecutors will release a charging decision on Monday and an arraignment on Tuesday, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said.
Since the attack, police officers with SFPD’s Richmond station have increased their presence in the Polo Fields, a sprawling grassy area often packed with youth sports clubs.
Mayor Daniel Lurie called the crime “extremely upsetting” and said any crime against San Francisco’s children is “unacceptable.”
KQED’s Eliza Peppel contributed to this report.