Crime & Safety

Witnesses Sought in Christmas Day Assault on Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica Police circulated a composite sketch Sunday of a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman Christmas Day on Santa Monica Beach.

Police released the sketch to the media to find additional witnesses and to identify the suspect, said spokesman Sgt. Richard Lewis.

The assault occurred about 5:45 p.m. Christmas Day in the 2700 block of the beach, south of the Santa Monica Pier. The woman was walking north on the beach near the waterline when the suspect ran towards her, grabbed her in a bear hug and pushed her to the ground, according to police.

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He "forced her legs apart," the police wrote in the public bulletin. "The victim fought back and as a result, the suspect got up and ran away."

She "chased the suspect in a northwest direction, past the bathrooms in the 2600 block of the beach until she lost sight of the suspect," the bulletin continues.

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Santa Monica Police Department's 24/7 line at (310) 458-8427.


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