Suspect arrested in violent attacks on 2 women in separate incidents near Venice canals, LAPD says
Anthony Jones, 29, was taken into custody late Thursday night in San Diego.
VENICE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A suspect has been arrested in connection with the violent attacks of two women in separate incidents near the famed Venice canals, Los Angeles police announced Friday afternoon.
Anthony Jones, 29, was taken into custody late Thursday night in San Diego, LAPD Cmdr. Steve Lurie said at a news conference. According to jail records, he's being held in lieu of $3.25 million bail. Details of how Jones was identified as a suspect and located were not immediately disclosed.
Lurie said the attacks "did have a sexual element to them."
Officers responded around 10:30 p.m. Saturday to the 2700 block of Strongs Drive on a report of a woman being approached from behind and struck with a blunt object, leaving the woman unconscious, authorities said. The suspect similarly attacked another woman about an hour later as she was walking near the Sherman Canal.
Police said both victims sustained significant injuries.
A GoFundMe page has been established for one of the victims, Mary Klein. She is currently hospitalized with severe facial injuries, including a fractured jaw and her teeth were knocked out, according to the GoFundMe page. The page says she will need multiple surgeries for her injuries.
City Councilwoman Traci Park, speaking at the news conference, criticized what she described as "catch-and-release" and "criminals-are-the-victims" policies.
"People in the city of Los Angeles are sick and tired of feeling unsafe," she said. "No woman, no visitor, no family should be unsafe walking in any neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, much less our city's number one tourist destination. Our businesses are being pushed to the brink and consumers are paying for it."
Park said there are "unstable and potentially dangerous" people roaming the streets, adding that Los Angeles "is getting a bad reputation."
"This time it was two innocent women minding their own business just walking through the canals," she said. "It could have been any one of us -- your neighbor, your colleague, your friend, your sister, your wife. It is time that we get serious about public safety in Los Angeles."
In the days after the attacks, the LAPD said it was "alerting the Venice community to these crimes to emphasize the importance of personal safety," police said in a statement in the aftermath of the attacks. "Residents are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and notify the police of any suspicious activity or persons loitering in this area."
Officers increased patrols throughout the neighborhood as detectives worked to identify and arrest the suspect, the Police Department said.
Anyone with information regarding the attacks or additional victims who want to come forward were urged to contact LAPD Special Assault detectives at (213) 473-0447. Calls during non-business hours and should be directed to (877) 527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
City News Service contributed to this report.
