Santa Monica Hot-Prowl Suspect Possibly Linked to Westside Rapes

SANTA MONICA, CA — The hot-prowl suspect arrested Saturday in Santa Monica is being investigated as the possible suspect in a pair of rapes on the Westside, police said.

Kenneth Whitfield was arrested Saturday morning when officers saw him walking up and down various residential driveways, peering into windows and attempting to open car doors, police said.

Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez told Patch the department was looking into Whitfield "being involved in any other crimes in Santa Monica and the surrounding area."

Earlier this month a man sexually assaulted two women in their 20s in the West Los Angeles area, near Santa Monica, and may have committed other similar crimes.

A woman was walking home in the 1400 block of South Westgate Avenue on July 2 when a man grabbed her from behind and dragged her across a street to a dark path.

"He threw her onto the ground and got on top of her," according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement. "The victim fought back, but the suspect struck her numerous times and sexually assaulted her before fleeing."

On July 4, a man approached a woman as she was walking home about a half-mile away and on the same street as the first attack.

"He put his arm around her neck, pulled her down a driveway and forced her to the ground," police said. "He ... sexually assaulted the victim and fled on foot."

In both assaults, the man was described as black, about 25-30 years old, 160 pounds and 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, with black hair and facial hair.

Santa Monica detectives are also looking into the possibility that Whitfield committed two rapes in Santa Monica in February, however, police were careful not to pinpoint him for the sexual attacks.

"Aside for the booking charges from Saturday, we have not made any connections with Whitfield to any other crimes," Rodriguez said.

— Photo courtesy of the SMPD