SMPD Arrest Homeless Man After Chase, Who Randomly Punched and Injured a 70-year-old Woman on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

5/1/25: Santa Monica police arrested a 30 year-old homeless man for punching a 70-year-old woman on the promenade, knocking her down. The man who is not immediately identified, tried to run from officers, and they pursued him through the promenade. He protested that he had done nothing, and that he was on probation.

There are several reported incidents involving assaults by homeless individuals in the Santa Monica area, including near the Third Street Promenade and surrounding areas. Here are some relevant cases based on available information:

July 2018: Assault at 2nd and Wilshire: A 32-year-old woman, Kady Elliott, was punched in the face by a homeless man described as a Caucasian male, around 30 years old, near 2nd Street and Wilshire Boulevard, close to the Promenade. The attack occurred while she was biking, and the suspect hit her after she tried to pass him. No arrests were noted, and police indicated that even if apprehended, the suspect might be released due to mental health issues and lack of medication.

April 2022: Attack on City Worker on Third Street Promenade: A homeless man assaulted a city maintenance worker named Jose on the Third Street Promenade. The attacker was detained by police, but no serious charges were filed due to the lack of significant injury. Workers reported such incidents were not uncommon in the area.

July 2023: Attack on City Councilman on Third Street Promenade: Santa Monica City Councilmember Phil Brock was attacked by a homeless man, Sawyer Walden Allee, on the Promenade after Brock confronted him for vandalizing storefront signs. Brock restrained the suspect until police arrived. The suspect had prior felony arrests and was released shortly before this incident.

SMPD Arrest Homeless Man After Chase, Who Randomly Punched and Injured a 70-year-old Woman on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

May 2024: Assault on a 73-Year-Old Woman Near Santa Monica Pier: A 39-year-old homeless man, Jalan Rodger James, was arrested for pushing a 73-year-old woman to the ground near Ocean Front Walk, causing a back injury and hand cuts. He also attempted to punch others in the area. While this incident occurred near the Pier, not the Promenade, it reflects similar concerns about violent assaults by homeless individuals in Santa Monica. Police used a drone to apprehend the suspect quickly.

June 2024: Multiple Assaults Near Santa Monica Pier: A 31-year-old homeless man, Jawann Garnett, was arrested for assaulting three women, including a 17-year-old and an elderly woman, near the 1300 block of Ocean Front Walk. He attempted to drown one victim and injured a bystander who intervened. This incident, while not on the Promenade, highlights the recurring issue of violent attacks in the broader Santa Monica area.

These incidents suggest a pattern of assaults involving homeless individuals in Santa Monica, particularly in high-traffic areas like the Third Street Promenade and nearby locations such as the Pier and Ocean Front Walk. Common themes include unprovoked attacks, concerns about mental health or substance abuse among suspects, and community frustration over public safety. Local residents and officials, including Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock, have expressed concerns about the safety of coastal areas, with some attributing the issue to inadequate mental health resources and lenient judicial policies.

The Santa Monica Police Department has implemented measures like the Homeless Liaison Program and Therapeutic Transport Team to address these issues, but incidents persist.