Pittsburg Man Charged for Attacking Woman at Walnut Creek BART

Martinez, Calif. –  A Pittsburg man has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office for attacking a female victim at the Walnut Creek BART station.

35-year-old Richard Lee McDowell faces a three-count felony complaint for kidnapping, attempted rape, and assault of a 20-year-old Jane Doe who resides in Daly City.

On October 7^th, McDowell and the victim were on the same BART train around midnight when the train stopped at the Walnut Creek Station. The victim exited onto the platform and McDowell followed. No one else was on the platform when McDowell grabbed the victim and forced her into an elevator where the two struggled. At one point, the victim was able to activate the emergency alarm in the elevator and McDowell fled while BART Police were en route.

With images from security camera footage and a description, law enforcement put out a bulletin on the McDowell. On October 15^th, he was arrested by BART police at the North Concord Station.

McDowell has been booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. He will be arraigned on October 21^st at 1:30 pm in Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa in Martinez.

01-22-01894 | The People of the State of California v. McDowell, Richard Lee