A homeless parolee suspected of assaulting a woman jogging on a beach path in Santa Monica was in custody Thursday.
The assault occurred about 7:15 a.m. Monday in the 2000 block of Ocean Front Walk, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
“Witnesses to the incident told dispatchers that a young woman was being dragged across the ground by her ponytail,” police said in a statement. “Responding officers were on scene within minutes and found both the victim and suspect near the Bicknell restrooms. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.”
Malcolm Jimmy Ward, 48, was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon when he was arrested, police said. He was being held without bail.
Ward is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at the Airport Courthouse on one felony count each of attempted kidnapping to commit another crime and assault with intent to commit rape, according to court records. The charges include allegations that he has one or more prior serious or violent felony convictions, according to court records.
“The victim, a Venice resident, was jogging southbound on the beach path when the suspect grabbed her ponytail from behind, knocking her to the ground,” police said in a statement.
“He then pulled her several feet toward the restrooms. The victim believed that the suspect intended to sexually assault her. Several witnesses intervened in the attack and called police. The victim suffered minor physical injuries in the attack.”
Anyone with information on the case was urged to contact Detective James McCoy at james.mccoy@santamonica.gov.