A woman sunbathing in Santa Monica, California, was sexually assaulted by a homeless man in broad daylight this week, garnering attention from the city, police said.
Police say Alonzo Dixon, a 25-year-old homeless man, approached a 20-year-old woman on the Santa Monica Pier Tuesday morning and stood on top of her and held her down.
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Dixon then allegedly began “rubbing up” against the woman, after which the woman's friends alerted him and intervened. Police arrested Dixon on a felony count of sexual assault by restraint..
The attack happened near the Ocean Front Walk, a popular biking and running path near the beach. According to Fox 11.
Beachgoers walk on the beach near the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, after the area reported a string of crimes and unrest related to homelessness and vagrancy, including rampant outdoor drug use. (Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“He was basically obsessed with her,” said Lt. Erica Akulfi of the Santa Monica Police Department. “Her friends realized what was going on.” [so] “She jumped up and he stepped back. I believe within 15 minutes, this individual was in custody.”
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Tuesday's alleged assault was just the latest incident of homeless men attacking women in an area that has been plagued by open drug use and mentally ill vagrants living on the streets.
Alonzo Dixon, 25, was arrested on a felony charge of restraining sexual assault after he allegedly pinned down a woman's shoulders and “rubbed himself” on the beach near the Santa Monica Pier. (Santa Monica Police Department)
“It's terrible for the community,” Santa Monica Mayor Phil Bullock said. “I can't help but think about that little girl and how she must be feeling.”
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“We're safe,” Bullock told local news outlet Fox 11. “You and I could go for a walk on the promenade at 11 o'clock at night and feel safe.”
Police officials told Fox 11 that after his arrest, it was discovered Dixon was also being held on similar charges in Washington state.
