PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY — A 36-year-old man prosecutors say raped a woman as she jogged along the beach is now facing a charge of attempted murder.
Brandon Cross of Chino, Calif. was being held on $1.35 million bail after the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Friday filed one count of attempted murder, two counts of forcible rape, one count of sexual penetration with a foreign object, one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and resisting arrest, police announced Monday.
A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 12 at the Airport Courthouse, Division 142.
Police said a woman was jogging along the waterline near Lifeguard Tower 8 around 4:50 a.m. on Oct. 10 when Cross ran up to her and raped her. The woman was able to fight off her attacker and run to safety as the suspect walked off.
Police responded and a composite drawing of the suspect was completed and a search conducted.
Santa Monica harbor guards arrested Cross on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at approximately 5:30 a.m. He matched the description given by the victim, police said.
The investigation continues and anyone with information is urged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8944 or the watch commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8495.
kevinh@www.smdp.com
