Homeless man arrested on suspicion of assaulting 73-year-old woman in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- A homeless man suspected of assaulting a 73-year-old woman in Santa Monica has been arrested, police said Wednesday.

Police said a drone helped them locate and arrest 39-year-old Jalan James after he allegedly pushed an elderly woman to the ground on Ocean Front Walk.

"She's recovering from her injuries. She sustained an abrasion on her hand and some back injuries," Santa Monica police Sgt. Jose Rodriguez said.

The 73-year-old woman was on her morning walk when she saw James coming toward her yelling incoherently, according to police.

When she tried to move out of his way, James allegedly shoved her to the ground. Just three minutes later, a drone found him near 2nd Street and Colorado Avenue, where he was arrested.

"They heard the call come out. They're able to fly overhead a lot quicker than a patrol car can get there from the busy downtown area," Rodriguez said.

James was booked on suspicion of felony battery with serious bodily injury, felony elder abuse, and two counts of resisting an executive officer. His bail was set at $100,000, according to jail records.

Police said James is homeless.

Just before Memorial Day weekend, another homeless man in Santa Monica was arrested after two German tourists were stabbed.

Earlier this month, Malcolm Jimmy Ward, Jr., was arrested for attempted rape after he allegedly grabbed a woman by her ponytail and dragged her toward the bathroom on Ocean Front Walk while she was jogging.

A couple that's lived in the neighborhood for more than 40 years said they'd like to see more law enforcement patrolling the area.

"I hardly ever see it. So I don't know where they are. They're not in my neighborhood," Andre Patenaude said.

Despite the recent aggressive attacks, a tourist visiting Santa Monica told Eyewitness News they feel safe.

"We haven't felt unsafe," said Nadia Willock of Toronto, Canada. "We're, you know, in a touristy area, we've been out, and we keep walking, and nobody's bothered us."

City News Service contributed to this report.