Crime & Safety
Man Accused Of Dragging Beach Jogger By The Hair Pleads Not Guilty
A homeless parolee is accused of attempting to rape a woman who was jogging on a Santa Monica beach path Monday morning.
SANTA MONICA, CA — A homeless parolee accused of dragging a jogging woman toward beach bathrooms in an attempt to rape her pleading not guilty to two felony charges on Friday.
Malcolm Jimmy Ward, 48, pleaded not guilty to felony counts of attempted kidnapping to commit another crime, and assault with intent to commit rape. The charges include allegations that he has one or more prior serious or violent felony convictions, according to court records.
He's being held without bail, according to jail records.
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The charges stem from an incident that occurred Monday at around 7:15 a.m., when a woman was jogging southbound on the Ocean Front Walk beach path near Pico Boulevard. Ward grabbed her ponytail from behind, knocking her to the ground, and dragged her by the hair toward the Bicknell restrooms, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
"The victim believed the suspect intended to sexually assault her," police said in a statement.
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Several witnesses intervened in the attack and called police, the SMPD said.
The woman suffered minor injuries, police said.
Ward Jr. was arrested at the scene and on Wednesday. He was being held without bail, police said Thursday.
Ward is on parole for assault with a deadly weapon, according to police.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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