By Jorge Casuso

August 30, 2024 -- A homeless man was arrested by Santa Monica police after sexually assaulting a woman who was sitting on the beach in Ocean Park late Wednesday night, police officials confirmed Friday.

The assault took place at around 11:30 p.m. on the 2800 block of the beach near the Venice border, not far from upscale townhouses and Main Street shops.

The suspect -- identified as Mario Alajandri -- tried to talk to the woman before hitting her on the head with a bottle, strangling and sexually assaulting her, police confirmed.

According to a source familiar with the incident, the victim, who is in her forties and did not appear to be homeless, was sitting on the sand after having "differences with her significant other."

The suspect approached and "attempted to talk to her," according to the source.

When the victim told him she wanted to be alone, "he attacked her. He hit the victim with a bottle and strangled her," the source said. "Then he sexually assaulted her."

The victim "was able to fight the suspect off," according to the source.

It is unclear whether the victim or a witness called police and gave a description of the suspect, the source said. Police located and arrested the suspect, and the victim was taken to a hospital.

Police officials will release the details of the incident after the case is presented to the DA and charges are filed, said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.

Thursday's assault took place one day after a homeless man with an out-of-state criminal record was arrested for sexual battery after attacking a young woman who was sunbathing on the beach.

The incident took place at around 1:30 p.m. in the 1300 block of the beach ("Homeless Suspect Arrested for Sexual Battery on the Beach," August 28, 2024).