Beach Jogger Escapes Rape Attempt After Bystanders Intervene: Police

SANTA MONICA, CA — A homeless parolee accused of dragging a jogging woman toward beach bathrooms in an attempt to rape her was arrested this week and is being held without bail, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

The incident occurred Monday at around 7:15 a.m., when a woman was jogging southbound on the Ocean Front Walk beach path near Pico Boulevard. The suspect grabbed her ponytail from behind, knocking her to the ground, and dragged her by the hair toward the Bicknell restrooms, police said.

"The victim believed the suspect intended to sexually assault her," police said in a statement.

Several witnesses intervened in the attack and called police, the SMPD said.

The woman suffered minor injuries, police said.

The suspect, Malcolm Jimmy Ward Jr., 48, was arrested at the scene and on Wednesday was charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office with felony counts of kidnapping, assault with intent to commit rape and violation of parole. He is being held without bail, police said.

Ward is on parole for assault with a deadly weapon, according to police.