1. Homeless man charged with attacking elderly woman
2. Homeless man arrested for assaulting senior citizen.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : On the morning of Thursday, May 23rd, a disturbing incident occurred near the 1600 block of Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica. A 73-year-old woman, who was out for her regular walk, was violently pushed to the ground by a male suspect. The suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Jalan Rodger James, who is currently experiencing homelessness, was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement and charged with battery on an elder and resisting arrest.
According to the victim’s account, as she was walking along the pathway, she noticed James approaching her while shouting incomprehensibly. In an attempt to avoid any confrontation, she tried to step aside to allow him to pass, but James forcefully pushed her to the ground. As a result of the fall, she sustained a back injury and suffered abrasions on her hands as she attempted to brace herself.
Shortly after the initial attack, a second report was made indicating that the same suspect was seen trying to assault other individuals in the vicinity. Within minutes of receiving the report, the SMPD Drone Operator successfully located James near 2nd and Colorado, leading to his timely arrest by responding officers.
Following the incident, detectives gathered video evidence and witness statements to support the case, which was subsequently presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for official charges. James now faces multiple serious charges, including felony battery with serious bodily injury, felony elder abuse, and two counts of resisting an executive officer. Additionally, he is also under investigation for further charges related to a separate assault case in Santa Monica.
Chief Ramon Batista of the SMPD reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable members of the community, particularly elderly individuals. He emphasized that assaults on the elderly are treated with the utmost seriousness, and the SMPD will actively pursue felony charges in such cases.
If you have any information relevant to this incident or have been impacted by the actions of the suspect, you are urged to contact Detective Jacob Holloway at Jacob.Holloway@santamonica.gov or reach out to the Watch Commander on a 24/7 basis at 310-458-8427.
For updates and further information, visit the Santa Monica Police Department’s website at santamonica.gov or follow them on social media @santamonicapd.
Submitted by Myesha Morrison.
Homeless man assaulting elderly woman
Arrested homeless man assaulting elderly woman.
