A man suspected of groping and flashing several women in separate incidents across San Diego was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday to face sexual battery charges, but he never showed.
Erik Altamirano was accused of groping and flashing at least six women across several neighborhoods — including University Heights, North Park and Pacific Beach. The City Attorney’s office filed four misdemeanor charges against Altamirano in October in connection with four of those incidents that occurred between June and July 2025.
NBC 7 was in court Tuesday and expected to learn details about the cases, but he did not attend the arraignment, nor did an attorney appear on his behalf, despite the City Attorney’s office’s insistence that he received notification of the arraignment.
The missed arraignment is the latest obstacle in bringing to justice what prosecutors say is a serial groper who had been targeting women in neighborhoods across San Diego over the summer months.
Later in the day, the city attorney’s office sent NBC 7 the following statement:
“Based on Mr. Altamirano’s release status, the court will require that an affidavit for an arrest warrant be filed by the city attorney’s Office within 90 days. A judge will review the affidavit and determine whether there is sufficient probable cause to issue a bench warrant.“
Some of the women who were assaulted posted photos on social media, showing a man, later identified as 31-year-old Erik Altamirano, jogging in tight shorts and a T-shirt. Although the suspect looked like a jogger out for an afternoon run, several San Diego women have told police he groped them and exposed his genitals.
Altamirano was taken into custody in August and was charged with two felony counts of assault with the intent to commit rape. His bail at that time was set at $100,000, but just before his scheduled arraignment on July 31, it was learned the district attorney had referred the case to the San Diego City Attorney for possible misdemeanor charges.
In late October, city prosecutors charged Altamirano with four counts of misdemeanor sexual battery.
NBC 7 spoke to two victims of sexual battery incidents in August who said they were disappointed to hear about the reduced charges but were happy that he was arrested. It was not clear if Altamirano was facing charges in either of those incidents.
One woman told NBC 7 she decided to do some investigating of her own and found surveillance video clips from neighbors that showed a man who resembled her assaulter, who wore a blue shirt and dark shorts. She posted those videos to social media and was contacted by several other women who said they had been victimized by him, too.
The City Attorney’s Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit is investigating the case against Altamirano. A judge said Tuesday that prosecutors have until February 23 to file an affidavit proving notice was given. What happens next is unknown.
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