Crime & Safety

Watsonville Man Allegedly Attempts To Sexually Assault Ex-Neighbor in Santa Cruz

A 34-year-old Watsonville man was arrested after allegedly forcing his way into the house of a former neighbor Thursday in Santa Cruz and exposing himself and tackling her to the ground when she tried running away, according to the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office.

Eric Miller reportedly went into his ex-neighbor's house on the 2300 block of Byer Road at 12:45 p.m. -- against the female resident's will  -- and exposed himself, said Deputy Ryan Kennedy.

The victim yelled for help and ran out of the house, but Miller allegedly grabbed her and pinned her to the ground, Kennedy said.

The woman eventually broke free and fled to a neighbor’s house and called 911, the deputy said.

Kennedy said Miller was stopped shortly after that by the Santa Cruz Police Department on the 5200 block of Soquel Avenue  -- in an unrelated incident in which "Miller’s unusual behavior gained the attention of people in the area."

Kennedy did not elaborate.

Sheriff’s detectives arrested and booked Miller into the Santa Cruz County jail for suspicion of burglary with the intent to commit rape and false imprisonment, Kennedy said.


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