Man arrested for sexually assaulting Santa Monica beachgoer – NBC Los Angeles

After a woman was sexually assaulted on the beach in Santa Monica, police continued to patrol the popular tourist spot on Wednesday and urged other possible victims to come forward.

Alonzo Dickson attacked a 20-year-old woman on Tuesday afternoon as she lay on her stomach reading a book, police said.

The 25-year-old suspect is said to have held the woman by the shoulders and pressed his groin against the victim's buttocks before her friends pushed him away.

Dickson ran away but was arrested a few blocks away.

“It was obviously very disturbing and really scared her and her friends,” said Santa Monica Police Lt. Erika Aklufi, adding that Dickson, a Washington native, faces another similar case.

Jail records showed Dickson's first court date was Thursday.

Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock said he wanted to keep the defendants behind bars longer because he was concerned about the safety of citizens and the thousands of visitors who come to Santa Monica on holiday weekends like Labor Day.

“Almost always, these are people who have been arrested before. It is unacceptable that they are out on the streets attacking someone again,” said Brock. “We don't want anyone to be attacked on beaches or in our city.”