Police arrested a San Diego man suspected of bludgeoning two women from behind in separate incidents near the Venice canals Saturday night.
The arrest of Anthony Jones, 29, for the assault of the two women was announced Friday at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division station. Los Angeles City Council member Traci Park, whose district includes Venice, helped announce the arrest.
There was a “sexual element” to the attacks, said Police Commander Steven Lurie, who declined to provide further information.
Police have not released the identities of the victims.
But one of the victims spoke to the Times from a hospital where she was recovering from at least eight broken jaws, a large laceration to the back of her head and bruising to her face and neck.
She told The Times that after work on Saturday evening she had gone for a walk to reach her daily goal of 10,000 steps when she was hit from behind. The Times does not identify sexual assault victims
“It’s generally a very safe, nice neighborhood and there are usually people around,” the woman said.
The victim said she planned to arm herself with pepper spray or perhaps get a dog as an extra layer of protection.
She expressed her gratitude to the police.
The first attack occurred Saturday at 10:30 p.m., when a woman walking in the 2700 block of Strongs Drive was approached from behind and struck with a hard object, knocking her unconscious.
About an hour later, police believe the same person attacked another woman in the same way while she was walking near the Sherman Canal, less than a mile away.
Los Angeles City Council member Traci Park with Captain Michael Applegate of the LAPD Pacific Division during the press conference Friday announcing the arrest of a suspect.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
The attacker fled, leaving behind evidence that police refused to describe.
According to a police report, both victims were seriously injured.
Lurie said the department identified Jones two days ago and discovered he was in San Diego. Jones was apprehended Thursday evening, returned to the Los Angeles area and taken into custody.
To avoid compromising the investigation, the LAPD is releasing only limited information about the attacks, but said more details will be released later by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Lurie said the department’s partnership with the community was crucial and contributed to this investigation.
Park thanked the residents and businesses who worked closely with the police department in “providing information to make this arrest possible.”
“On a personal level, I was absolutely horrified and heartbroken by what happened to these women,” Park said. “I can only imagine the pain, grief and anger these victims and their families must be feeling. »
Los Angeles residents are tired of feeling unsafe, “businesses are being pushed to the brink” and Angelenos are suffering, Park said.
“This time it was about two innocent women minding their own business, just walking the canals,” she said. “It could have been any of us, your neighbor, your colleagues, your friends, your sister, your wife.”
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