Sex offender leaves town Sex offender leaves town (October 15, 2004)

Chavez indicated he would move to San Jose

By Candice Shih

High-risk sex offender Hector Chavez and his wife have moved out of their residence on Montecito Avenue.

Chavez had been asked to leave by Chet Chan, the owner of the condominium, by the end of September, according to Nancy Bernard, president of the homeowners association. The eviction notice followed expressed agitation and fear from the residents, a number of whom are single women.

Mountain View police confirmed Chavez left the building. "As far as we know, he is no longer in Mountain View," said police spokesperson Josef Kachman.

Chavez, who was convicted of sexual assault in 1979 and 1989, is required to register with the police every year under Megan's Law. When he moved to 2047 Montecito Ave. in August, Mountain View police officers distributed a flier in the neighborhood with his name, photo and crimes committed.

Police spokesperson Jim Bennett said Chavez "registered out" with Mountain View police on Sept. 23 and indicated he would move to San Jose.

Bernard, who had communicated with Chavez several times, said she doesn't know where exactly he is living now.

"[Chavez and his wife] actually wrote me some letters, and they were pretty sad," said Bernard. "They paid their bills like everyone else. ... They feel they're not being allowed to live."

Bernard, who wrote a guest opinion about Megan's Law in the Sept. 24 Voice, said she has mixed feelings about it and tried to reach out to the couple.

"They lived here, and I wanted to see how they were doing. I wanted them to know that somebody cared," she said. Chavez's wife was very pleasant and said he never harmed her, added Bernard.

Chavez's current residence is unknown. He and his wife have previously been forced to put their belongings in storage and live out of their car, said Bernard.

Since Chavez moved into the neighborhood, the residents of 2047 Montecito Ave. have been in the process of forming a neighborhood watch, she added.

E-mail Candice Shih at cshih@mv-voice.com

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