Police arrested a homeless man in Santa Monica, California, on Tuesday after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 20-year-old woman while she was sunbathing, FOX11 reported.
Police said the young woman was lying face down on the beach near the Santa Monica Pier when 25-year-old Alonzo Dixon jumped on top of her and pinned her to the ground. Fox 11“He was basically closing in on her and her friends realized what was going on,” said Lt. Erica Akulfi with the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD). [so] “She jumped up and the man backed away. I believe within 15 minutes, the man was in custody,” FOX 11 reported.
Santa Monica Mayor Phil Bullock told FOX 11 the attack was “horrifying for our community,” adding, “My thoughts go out to that little girl and how she must be feeling.” (RELATED: 'Out of Control': Video shows California homeless man allegedly sexually assaulting woman in broad daylight)
Police arrested Alonzo Dixon after he allegedly climbed on top of a woman while she was sunbathing and pinned her down by her shoulders. https://t.co/hIvx4o77o3
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) August 29, 2024
Bullock told FOX 11 the area where the attack allegedly happened is “becoming an extension of Skid Row…Santa Monica is filled with these people.”
FOX11 reported that Matthew Seedorf said he found a syringe not far from where the assault allegedly took place.
This afternoon, I noticed syringes along the Ocean Front Walk near the Santa Monica Pier, near where a 20-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a homeless man on Tuesday. #Santa Monica pic.twitter.com/537mw3ZDPo
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) August 28, 2024
“you [drug use] “If this is done openly, it's obviously going to cause trouble,” said crime prevention activist John Alley. “We have people who don't come to City Hall, even if they live three blocks away, because they're afraid they'll be attacked.”
Despite the recent crime, Bullock told FOX11 he has no problem walking a few miles in Santa Monica every day.
“We are safe,” he said. “If you or I take a walk on the promenade at 11 o'clock at night, we'll feel safe.”
“I don't think he believes that,” Allais said. “I love the hotel here, but I wouldn't let my relatives stay in a hotel in Santa Monica.”
Police said Dixon faces at least one similar charge in Washington and has been charged with felony sexual assault in custody, the outlet reported.
