East Bay hospital technician charged with sexual battery of patient, other victims possible police say

SAN LEANDRO — A former X-ray technician at San Leandro Hospital has been charged with sexual battery in the suspected inappropriate touching of a female patient last year and police believe there may be other victims, authorities said.

Dug Tu, 46, of Castro Valley, was arrested Oct. 4. He was charged Oct. 5 with the felony sexual battery count, which includes enhancements that the victim was vulnerable and that the suspect was in a position of trust when it happened. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday and is no longer in custody, according to court records.

Police were notified last September by the victim who reported that after she had X-rays taken, the technician touched her inappropriately under the guise of a physical examination.

The San Leandro Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, working with hospital officials doing their own internal investigation, were able to develop enough evidence to obtain an arrest warrant for Tu.

Police said in a news release that “due to the nature of the alleged acts and the manner by which they were committed, detectives believe there may be other possible victims within at least the past few years.” No new victims had come forward as of Friday morning, authorities said.

It was not immediately known how long Tu had worked at the hospital or if he has worked at other hospitals or medical facilities.

Any possible victims or anyone with information is urged to contact police via any of the following methods: Detective JoAnna Villa at 510-577-3274, the non-emergency line at 510-577-2740, the anonymous tip line at 510-577-3278, or text-to-tip at 888777 (keyword: TipSLPolice).