Rapist Strikes Twice in Nearby Palms

By Anne La Jeunesse

Santa Monica police are urging women to be extra alert in the wake of two recent sexual assaults in the nearby Palms area of Los Angeles, only about six months since the Westside was terrorized by a man who assaulted several women after breaking into their apartments.

The most recent assaults occurred between the hours of 1 and 3 a.m. on Oct. 8 and 10, and are being investigated by Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division.

The man described as the suspect in the recent assaults is described as Latino, in his 30's, 5 feet seven or eight inches tall and weighing between 150 and 160 pounds. His vehicle is described as an American model. He enters his victims' residences by climbing through windows, police said.

The attacks, according to police, have occurred in the area of Washington and Venice Boulevards between Sawtelle Boulevard and Inglewood Avenue -- just two miles from Santa Monica.

A rash of rapes and sexual assaults that occurred last spring in Palms, Venice and Santa Monica have been attributed by authorities to Jelani Efron King, 21, who faces up to 85 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to information from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

King is charged with numerous felonies, including rape, residential burglary, attempted rape and assault with great bodily harm.

Before King was arrested, the "Westside Rapist" held the Westside in fear as assaults were reported from various areas.

King has pleaded not guilty to those charges, and has been held in Los Angeles County Jail since his arrest in April while awaiting trial.