Police detained a guy in San Diego on suspicion of clubbing two women from behind in separate incidents near the Venice canals Saturday night.
Anthony Jones, 29, was arrested for assaulting the two women on Friday in front of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division Station. Traci Park, a Los Angeles City Councilmember whose district includes Venice, was among those who helped announce the arrest.
According to police chief Steven Lurie, the attacks had a “sexual element” to them.
The victims’ identities have yet to be released by the police.
However, one of the victims spoke to The Times from a hospital, where she was suffering from at least eight fractures in her jaw, a big cut in the back of her skull, and contusions on her face and neck.
She told The Times that after work on Saturday night, she went for a stroll to fulfill her daily 10,000-step goal when she was hit from behind. The Times does not identify the victims of sexual assault.
“It’s usually a very safe neighborhood, nice neighborhood and there are typically people around,” she remarked.
The woman stated that she intends to arm herself with pepper spray and possibly purchase a dog as an additional layer of protection.
She expressed her appreciation to the officers.
The first attack occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, when a lady strolling in the 2700 block of Strongs Drive was approached from behind and hit with a hard object, rendering her unconscious.
Approximately an hour later, investigators suspect the same guy attacked another woman in a similar manner while she was strolling near the Sherman Canal, less than a mile away.
The assailant fled, leaving evidence that authorities declined to describe.
According to the police report, both victims suffered serious injuries.
Lurie stated that the department identified Jones two days ago and realized he was in San Diego. Jones was arrested Thursday night, returned to Los Angeles, and put into custody.
To prevent jeopardizing the investigation, the LAPD is disclosing very limited information about the attacks, stating that more information will be released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office later on.
Lurie stated that the department’s collaboration with the community was critical and aided in the investigation.
Park commended people and businesses for collaborating with the Police Department and “providing information to make this arrest possible.”
“On a personal level, I have been absolutely horrified and heartbroken by what happened to these women,” Park said in a statement. “I can only imagine the pain and the grief and the anger that these victims and their families must feel.”
People in Los Angeles are tired of feeling unsafe, “businesses are being pushed to the brink” and Angelenos are suffering, according to Park.
“This time, it was two innocent women minding their own business, just walking through the canals,” she went on to say. “It could have been any one of us, your neighbor, your colleagues, your friends, your sister, your wife.”