Arrested Policeman Jailed

San Diego Police Officer Henry Hubbard Jr., the prime suspect in a recent series of beach-area robberies and sexual assaults, was released Saturday from the hospital and booked directly into County Jail downtown, officials said.

Hubbard, 29, a 4 1/2-year patrol officer, was booked on two charges of attempted murder and one of attempted rape, all in connection with an attack last Thursday at Torrey Pines State Beach, jail officials said. Hubbard, due to be placed in a special cell apart from other prisoners for his own protection, underwent psychiatric evaluation Saturday, sheriff’s officials said. He is to be arraigned Monday.

Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Revell denied rumors sweeping the San Diego Police Department on Saturday night that Hubbard had tried to commit suicide.

Hubbard was arrested Thursday on suspicion of attempting to rape a 21-year-old woman and trying to kill her two male companions during an early-morning robbery at the La Jolla beach. Police say the assailant shot the two men in the chest and shot himself in the hand. The woman was not wounded.

Hubbard was discharged Saturday from UC San Diego Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

Arthur Gracia, 23, one of the two other men shot in the attack, was released Saturday from Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, a nursing supervisor said. The other man, Aldo Ochoa, 21, remains in serious condition.

Police say Hubbard is suspected in seven assaults from Solana Beach to La Jolla since June 15.