Police arrested a person in San Diego suspected of clubbing two ladies from behind in separate incidences close to the Venice canals Saturday night time.
The arrest of Anthony Jones, 29, for the assault of the 2 ladies was introduced Friday in entrance of the Los Angeles Police Division’s Pacific Division Station. Los Angeles Metropolis Councilmember Traci Park, whose district consists of Venice, took half in saying the arrest.
The assaults had a “sexual aspect” to them, mentioned police commander Steven Lurie, who declined to supply additional info.
The police haven’t launched the id of the victims.
However one of many victims spoke to The Instances from a hospital the place she was recovering from no less than eight fractures to her jaw, a big laceration to the again of the top and contusions on her face and neck.
She advised The Instances that after work on Saturday night time she went for a stroll to succeed in her each day 10,000-steps aim when she was struck from behind. The Instances doesn’t determine victims of sexual assault
“It’s normally a really secure neighborhood, good neighborhood and there are sometimes folks round,” the girl mentioned.
The sufferer mentioned she plans to arm herself with pepper spray or perhaps get a canine as an added layer of safety.
She expressed her gratitude to the police.
The primary assault happened at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, when a lady strolling within the 2700 block of Strongs Drive was approached from behind and struck with a tough object, knocking her unconscious.
About an hour later, police consider the identical individual attacked one other girl in an identical manner as she was strolling close to the Sherman Canal, lower than a mile away.
The assailant ran off, leaving proof that police declined to explain.
In response to a police report, each victims sustained vital accidents.
Lurie mentioned the division recognized Jones two days in the past and found he was in San Diego. Jones was apprehended Thursday night time, returned to the Los Angeles space and brought into custody.
To keep away from compromising the investigation, the LAPD is releasing solely restricted info on the assaults however mentioned extra particulars will come ahead from the Los Angeles County district lawyer’s workplace at a later date.
Lurie mentioned the division’s partnership with the group was essential and aided on this investigation.
Park thanked the residents and companies who labored intently with the Police Division by “offering info to make this arrest attainable.”
“On a private degree, I’ve been completely horrified and heartbroken by what occurred to those ladies,” Park mentioned. “I can solely think about the ache and the grief and the anger that these victims and their households should really feel.”
Individuals in Los Angeles are bored with feeling unsafe, “companies are being pushed to the brink” and Angelenos are struggling, Park mentioned.
“This time, it was two harmless ladies minding their very own enterprise, simply strolling by means of the canals,” she mentioned. “It might have been any one in every of us, your neighbor, your colleagues, your mates, your sister, your spouse.”