Homeless Man Arrested After 2 Violent Days Of Attacks In Santa Monica: Police

SANTA MONICA, CA — A 31-year-old homeless probationer is behind bars after a series of violent assaults last week at the beach and at a Trader Joe's, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday filed three felony assault with a deadly weapon charges against Mario Alejandri: two connected to the incident on the beach and one of the Trader Joe's attack, according to police.

He's being held on $61,000 bail and is due in court Sept. 17, according to jail records.

On Aug. 28 at around 11:45 p.m., a distressed woman flagged down a bystander on Barnard Way. The woman, who needed help calling 911, was bleeding from cuts on her face and head, police said.

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When officers arrived, the woman reported that a man — later identified as Alejandri — punched her several times in the head and face, hit her with a bottle and tried to shove sand in her mouth on the 2600 block of Ocean Front Walk, police said.

The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries as officers found the suspect nearby.

Police arrested Alejandri and during their investigation recognized him as the suspect in a violent incident that occurred at the Trader Joe's at Broadway and 5th Street the day before, according to the SMPD.

Alejandri had entered the store at around 7:45 p.m. on Aug. 27. Staff quickly recognized him because he had previously shoplifted and asked him to leave. He became irate and hit an employee in the face and threw two potted plants at the victim. On his way out, he picked up a sign and was poised to throw it when the doors closed behind him, police said.

Alejandri is on summary probation for battery and has prior arrests for battery, trespass to injure property, assault with a deadly weapon, petty theft, resisting arrest, vandalism, brandishing, possession of methamphetamine and contempt of court, according to police.