The Los Angeles Police Department has reported the arrest of a suspect linked to two violent incidents that occurred last weekend along the picturesque Venice Canals. The accused, 29-year-old Anthony Jones, was apprehended late Thursday evening in San Diego and faces charges of attempted murder with bail set at $3.25 million.
Described as a transient, Jones was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center following the assaults that have shaken the local community. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 200 pounds, Jones’s arrest marks a critical step in addressing the safety concerns that have lately plagued the area. However, the specifics of the evidence leading to his capture have not been disclosed, nor has his criminal history, if any.
The first of the attacks took place on the evening of April 6, when a woman was brutally assaulted from behind with a hard object in the 2700 block of Strongs Drive near the Grand Canal. The attacker struck her head, rendering her unconscious. Approximately an hour later, a second woman suffered a similar fate near the Sherman Canal. Both incidents involved a sexual component, deeply disturbing the local residents and visitors alike.
Among the victims was 54-year-old Mary Klein, a single mother who sustained severe injuries, including fractures to her jaw, broken teeth, a significant gash on her head, and numerous contusions. A friend of Klein’s has since initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her escalating medical costs, raising over $30,000 thus far. The organizer shared that despite her injuries, Klein’s spirit remains resilient, bolstered by the support and encouraging words from the community.
Details regarding the second victim’s condition remain undisclosed.
The rapid arrest following these attacks brought a measure of relief, highlighted during a news conference where L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park commended the police’s swift action. Councilwoman Park voiced a strong critique of current safety policies in Los Angeles, emphasizing the city’s deterioration in public safety and her frustration with policies she believes prioritize criminal leniency over community safety.
“Our residents are exhausted from feeling vulnerable in their own city,” Park stated, critiquing the lax enforcement and policies she described as contributing to a “failed social experiment” in public safety.
LAPD Interim Police Chief Dominic Choi echoed these sentiments, expressing pride in the dedication of the force, particularly the specialized detectives involved in the case. He thanked Councilwoman Park for her continued support, affirming that the efforts of law enforcement have made Los Angeles safer with the apprehension of the suspect.
As the community begins to process these events, the case is set to be forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, with many hoping for a resolution that will restore a sense of security and justice to the famed Venice Canals and beyond.