By Lookout Staff

The victim -- "a lone female" -- was waiting for a ride on the 1700 block of Ocean Park Boulevard when the male suspect approached her at around 8:15 p.m., police said. "He was pulling down his pants and making lewd statements," said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson. Left: surveillance camera image (Courtesy SMPD)

"The victim struggled with the suspect and was able to free herself and flee the area."

The suspect was caught on surveillance camera leaving the location, police said. The bulletin released Friday includes a video clip and several images of the suspect.

Anyone with information about the incident or suspect should email SMPD Detective Tavera at Ismael.Tavera@santamonica.gov or Detective Sergeant Gradle at Ryan.Gradle@santamonica.gov, or call the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

The bulletin was issued after a string of crimes in Santa Monica have received widespread media attention.

On Thursday, a man suspected of assaulting a six-year-old girl on Main Street Sunday was arrested by LAPD after a similar assault in Venice ("Suspected Assailant of Girl Arrested in Venice," March 14, 2024).

On February 29, a homeless man on parole was charged with burglary and indecent exposure after breaking into a house in Ocean Park at around 2:10 a.m. and masturbating next to the victim's bed ("Parolee Arrested for Burglary, Attempted Rape," March 4, 2024).

The incident took place one month after a homeless woman responsible for violent crimes in Los Angeles was charged with the murder of a 46-year-old man in Sunset Park on January 25 ("Sunset Park Shooter Charged with Murder," January 30, 2024).