SAN JOSE — Police have arrested a man they say approached a 12-year-old child walking home, then lured and sexually assaulted him in a downtown alleyway.

The suspect, who San Jose police described as a transient, was caught at about 2:25 p.m. Wednesday after a witness saw the assault occur near North Fourth and St. John streets and called police.

Before officers arrived, the victim was able to break free from the man, who was later arrested, police said. The ensuing investigation determined that the victim was brought to an alley behind a parking lot and trapped by the suspect before he was attacked.

Coshmond Hill, 43, was booked into the Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, sodomy of a minor, and false imprisonment. He is being held on $360,000 bail, according to jail records.

Councilman Raul Peralez, a former SJPD officer who represents the downtown area, said he was “grateful for the fast acting police officers, who with the help of vigilant neighbors, were able to identify and apprehend him.”

Police Chief Eddie Garcia similarly lauded the quick response to the attack.

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Anyone with information about the case can contact Detective Sgt. Sean Pierce or Detective Chris McTiernan of the San Jose Police Department’s child exploitation detail at 408-537-1381 or Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP or at svcrimestoppers.org.