KIRKLAND, Wash. — The suspect accused of raping a woman in a Kirkland park appeared in court Thursday.
Police said officers responded to a crowded Juanita Beach Park around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after calls about a sexual assault.
A witness at the scene reported seeing a man having intercourse with a woman in a parking stall near where her car was parked, according to probable cause documents. She told police it did not appear consensual.
According to the witness, when officers arrived, the suspect looked up and saw the witness and police, then pulled his pants up and tried to pull the victim's pants up but couldn't. He then left the scene and headed to the public park restrooms. He was identified by the witness and arrested.
Casey McNerthney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office praised the witness for reporting the incident quickly.
"It can be difficult for people to want to get involved. We're fortunate that people did," he said. "That's really an act of care for somebody they don't even know to make sure someone is safe. That builds great communities."
According to probable cause documents, the witness was "1000%" sure she saw the man having intercourse with the victim and stated she believed the victim was unconscious or extremely intoxicated.
Documents state the victim did have to be "carried to an aid car as she was unable to move on her own" after the alleged assault. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The suspect's bail was set at $200,000. He has not been formally charged but was booked into the King County Jail for second-degree rape. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office says it expects a case referral by Tuesday.
Police say the alleged attack was not random.