Community Safety Alert NR24118jc

April 12, 2024  NR24118ma

UPDATE

Since the assault, detectives from Pacific Area, as well as investigators from Operations-West Bureau Special Assault Section, dedicated countless hours to identifying this perpetrator. Within hours after identifying the suspect, on April 11, 2024, the LAPD located and swiftly apprehended the suspect, who had fled to the San Diego area. The suspect, 29-year-old Anthony Jones, was arrested and booked into LAPD’s Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder. Bail was set at $3,250.000, and his booking number is 6791008.

This investigation is still ongoing, and both victims are continuing to recover from the serious injuries they sustained. At this point in the case, investigators are not ruling out the likelihood that the women may have been sexually assaulted.

LAPD Chief Dominic Choi stated, “I am proud of the tireless work and dedication to public safety demonstrated by all involved in this case, especially our specialized detectives. I thank Councilwoman Park for her unwavering support, continually working together to ensure the safety of our communities. The people of Los Angeles are safer today because this predator is in custody.”

With the community’s help and the amazing work of the men and women with the LAPD, a dangerous and violent suspect has been taken off of the streets of Los Angeles.

Venice: The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Operations-West Bureau Special Assault Section is investigating two incidents that occurred in the Venice Canal community on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Investigators believe that the same suspect assaulted two separate victims.

On April 6, 2024 at10:30 p.m., a woman was walking in the 2700 block of Strongs Drive when the suspect approached her from behind and struck her with a hard object, rendering her unconscious. About an hour later, the same suspect attacked another woman in a similar fashion as she was walking near the Sherman Canal. Both victims sustained significant injuries.

The suspect fled the scene, leaving evidence behind. Residents in the area located the second victim and immediately contacted police. Pacific Patrol Division units responded to the sceneand began the investigation. The suspect is described as a male Black or male Hispanic with medium to dark skin. He is between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall and weighs between 180 and 200 pounds with short hair that appears to be trimmed around the ears.

The Los Angeles Police Department is alerting the Venice community to these crimes toemphasize the importance of personal safety. Residents are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and notify the police of any suspicious activity or persons loitering in this area. As detectives work to identify and arrest this suspect, the LAPD will be increasing patrols in the Venice community. Residents will see additional black and white police vehicles and uniformed officers in the neighborhood. This deployment is being implemented as a precautionary measure.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Tracy Park stated, “I am horrified and furious to learn of these violent and abhorrent assaults on two women in Venice over the weekend. As your councilwoman, and as a resident of this community, I am calling on LAPD to devote every resource necessary to investigate these crimes. I have been working directly with Chief Choi and Captain Applegate and remain focused on ensuring that this criminal is apprehended, charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This behavior will not be tolerated, and violent criminals will be held accountable.”

Anyone with information that could lead to the identification of the suspect, additional victims or witnesses should contact Special Assault Detectives at 213-473-0447. During off hours or on weekends, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P-3 Tips” mobile app and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.