Man Arrested, Charged With Drunken Assault In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — A Los Angeles man was arrested on charges of assault after he knocked a woman off her bicycle, pinned her to the ground and tried to strangle her, according to Santa Monica police.

The Santa Monica Police Department responded to a home in the city at about 9:23 p.m. on Monday after receiving a report about an assault.

According to the victim and her friend who was a witness, the pair were heading northbound on Main Street with the victim on an e-bike and her friend walking beside her at about 8:40 p.m. The witness told SMPD they passed a man, who was later identified as Brian Barry Clemens, as he "yelled incoherently in their direction."

Both women were crossing the street toward Ocean Park Boulevard when Clemens allegedly rushed at them. According to SMPD, Clemens knocked the victim off the bicycle, pinned her to the ground and began strangling her.

A good Samaritan driving by interceded the attack and scored the suspect away, police said. In the struggle, the victim suffered a leg injury as well as scrapes and bruises.

Later that night, Clemens flagged down a passerby and asked them to call 911 for medical help for injuries he sustained. Paramedics transported Clemens to the hospital.

According to SMPD, police obtained a description of the suspect and realized it was the same man who was taken to the hospital. Officers went to the hospital, where they arrested Clemens and transported him to the jail for booking.

Police said Clemens has prior arrests in California and out of state for being drunk in public and driving under the influence.

The District Attorney's office filed charges of assault with a deadly weapon and felony assault against Clemens on Tuesday.

Anyone who may have additional information about the incident was urged to contact Detective Ismael Tavera at Ismael.tavera@santamonica.gov or Detective Sergeant Ryan Gradle at Ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov. After hours calls can be directed to the 24-hour Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.