Suspect Charged With Multiple Felonies After Attack Near 6th and Wilshire
Police have arrested a Long Beach man in connection with the attempted sexual assault of an elderly woman in downtown Santa Monica earlier this month, the Santa Monica Police Department announced.
Officers responded around 9:30 p.m. on June 5 to reports of a woman screaming for help near the intersection of 6th Street and Wilshire Boulevard. When officers arrived, they found an 84-year-old Santa Monica resident in visible distress. The woman told police that a man had approached her from behind, grabbed her, and dragged her into a nearby alley, where he attempted to sexually assault her.
Several witnesses who were in the area at the time corroborated the woman’s account and reported seeing the suspect flee northbound from the scene. Officers canvassed the area and located a man matching the description near 5th Street and California Avenue. He was detained without incident.
The suspect was later identified as 39-year-old Pape Tall, a resident of Long Beach. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, Tall was formally charged on June 9 by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He faces multiple felony charges, including kidnapping with intent to commit rape, assault with intent to commit rape, and violation of probation. He remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 9.
Police are asking anyone who may have additional information related to the case to contact Detective Maricela Orta at (310) 458-2293 or maricela.orta@santamonica.gov. Tips can also be directed to Sergeant Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8931 or the Santa Monica Police Department Watch Commander’s desk at (310) 458-8427, available 24 hours a day.
