Police reported that a homeless man, previously convicted for assault and currently on parole, assaulted a jogger by dragging her by her hair on a beach near Los Angeles, with an attempted rape.

The incident took place around 7:15 a.m. on the Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica. Witnesses contacted emergency services, describing a woman, a resident of Venice Beach, being pulled along the ground by her ponytail.

The victim, jogging southbound on the beach path, was ambushed from behind by the suspect, causing her to fall. Law enforcement officers located the victim and the suspect, identified as 48-year-old Malcolm Jimmy Ward, Jr., near restrooms. Several bystanders intervened during the assault, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

JUST IN: Malcolm Jimmy Ward Jr. was arrested in Santa Monica, CA, accused of grabbing a young woman by her ponytail and dragging her towards a restroom. Police say Ward is homeless and was out on parole for assault with a deadly weapon. The woman had been jogging on a beach path. pic.twitter.com/pWMVbNqIUf

— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) May 16, 2024

Fortunately, the woman sustained no injuries. At the time of the incident, Ward was under parole for assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators suspect Ward intended to sexually assault the victim. He faces charges of kidnapping, assault with intent to commit rape, and parole violation, and is currently held without bail.

This incident bears similarities to a case in New York City, where surveillance footage captured a man strangling a woman unconscious with a belt before dragging her away on a dark Bronx street. Kashaan Parks, aged 39, was apprehended over the weekend in connection with the attack on the 45-year-old victim.

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Kashaan Parks responsible for choking a Bronx woman unconscious and raping her, has been ARRESTED at a relative's home in the Bronx. Thankfully! 👍🏽pic.twitter.com/j7Kyc6WCJr

— El Gallo Guapo🇩🇴☘️ 🦍 (@vinquezada1) May 17, 2024