" I'd say it's a safe bet this assailant is long gone. This happened on Thursday night and the NVR is just putting out the word at 6 PM on Monday night?? Good luck with that. "

" It's probably not a good idea for a woman to walk the streets by herself, late at night. Perhaps we need a volunteer agency she could call, for a free escort. "

" This fits the same description of the man who the register wrote an article about recently who was caught ripping up flyers which were warning women of him as a predator...
Coincidence? "

" two cents: That guy is currently in the Napa jail. Safe to say he has a pretty good alibi. "

" I work downtown.. late nights.. That guy would be in quite a tussle if he messed with me. But several of us walk out together when we leave our place of business "

" Coombs Street North of Pearl Street is roughly the block between where the Pearl Street garage/transit station lies and where Clinton Street is. There's a foot-bridge there and several parking areas. This locale may be a candidate for better lighting after dark. "

" I hate to be a stickler, but this is more of a "battery" rather than an "assault."

He came up from behind, so she didn't see him. Then he grabbed and punched her. That's a battery. An assault is when you see it coming. And even if there is no physical contact, it's still an assault.

Back to the article: JustMyOpinion has a pretty good point. So do the other posters here. Better lighting and some pepper spray could have made the situation less traumatic.

Regardless, glad the victim is okay. "

" Mr. Feasor all battery charges come with the lesser charge of assault. That is why there is never just a battery, its always assault and battery.

NVR likes to make everything more dramatic and Assault looks more menacing ( i guess) than just battery hence why they probably just put assault "

" Let's hope Napa PD gets him before he strikes again!

Although it's a good point that a woman shouldn't walk alone at night, part of the reason I like living in a small town is that this isn't supposed to happen here!

We should make getting better lighting in that area a priority, as well as getting this perp off the street!

Everyone should be able to walk downtown or in all of Napa without fear, at anytime of day or night. "

" ysoserious - I stand corrected.

In civil lawsuits, a victim must establish that they "saw it coming" (as it were). But in a criminal proceeding, it is all about the defendant's intent to "commit violent injury" (Pen. Code § 240). So once he allegedly grabbed and struck her, both assault and battery would apply.

My bad. Thanks for pointing that out.

At any rate, good for the victim to get out safely and keeping her head. I hope the authorities find this guy. "