Suspect in clubbing of two women near Venice canals arrested in San Diego

Police arrested a person in San Diego suspected of clubbing two girls 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 girls 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 asserting the arrest.

The assaults had a “sexual component” to them, mentioned police commander Steven Lurie, who declined to supply additional info.

The police haven’t launched the identification of the victims.

However one of many victims spoke to The Instances from a hospital the place she was recovering from at the very least eight fractures to her jaw, a big laceration to the again of the pinnacle and contusions on her face and neck.

She instructed The Instances that after work on Saturday night time she went for a stroll to succeed in her every day 10,000-steps objective when she was struck from behind. The Instances doesn’t determine victims of sexual assault

“It’s often a really secure neighborhood, good neighborhood and there are usually individuals round,” the lady mentioned.

The sufferer mentioned she plans to arm herself with pepper spray or possibly get a canine as an added layer of safety.

She expressed her gratitude to the police.

The primary assault passed off 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 lady in an identical manner as she was strolling close to the Sherman Canal, lower than a mile away.

Los Angeles Metropolis Councilmember Traci Park, with LAPD Pacific Division Capt. Michael Applegate, throughout the information convention Friday asserting the arrest of a suspect.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Instances)

The assailant ran off, leaving proof that police declined to explain.

In accordance with 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 stage, I’ve been completely horrified and heartbroken by what occurred to those girls,” Park mentioned. “I can solely think about the ache and the grief and the anger that these victims and their households should really feel.”

Folks 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 girls minding their very own enterprise, simply strolling by the canals,” she mentioned. “It may have been any considered one of us, your neighbor, your colleagues, your folks, your sister, your spouse.”