Los Angeles, California – Following two violent assaults against women in Venice, police issued a warning about a dangerous suspect believed to be responsible for both incidents, as announced by authorities on Tuesday.
The initial attack took place on April 6 around 10:30 p.m., detailed in a press release from the Los Angeles Police Department.
A female victim was walking near Venice’s Grand Canal when a man approached her from behind and struck her in the head with a blunt object, rendering her unconscious.
An hour later, the same suspect assaulted a second woman in a similar manner as she walked near the Sherman Canal.
Residents in the vicinity found the second victim and promptly contacted the police, with both women sustaining significant injuries.
Detectives from LAPD’s Pacific Patrol Division arrived to investigate the incidents.
Visible bloodstains on the back porch of a longtime resident’s home in Venice were evidence of the violent attack.
Violent crime in the area has shown a 10% increase compared to the same time last year, according to LAPD statistics.
Councilwoman Park proposed the creation of a real-time “watch center” for Venice, similar to the surveillance system in Beverly Hills, to address the overwhelmed Pacific-area officers.
Descriptions provided by the police describe the suspect as a male of Black or Hispanic descent, with medium to dark skin, standing between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds with neatly trimmed short hair around the ears.
Residents are urged to report any suspicious activity or individuals in the area to aid in the identification and arrest of the suspect.
As investigations continue, LAPD will increase patrols in the Venice community and deploy additional officers as a precautionary measure.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect or additional witnesses is encouraged to contact LAPD’s Special Assault Detectives or leave anonymous tips with L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers.