Santa Monica Police Seek Suspect in Christmas Day Assault

January 23, 2013 -- Police are searching for a suspect in a possible sexual assault that occurred on the beach in Santa Monica's Ocean Park neighborhood in the late afternoon on Christmas Day.

A police rendering of the suspect

The suspect, whom police believe to be a Hispanic male between the ages of 25 and 30, allegedly tackled a woman near the waterline at the 2700 block of the beach around 5:45 p.m.

“The suspect ran towards the victim and stopped in front of her with his arms out,” according to police officials.

“He grabbed the victim in a bear hug, pushed her to the ground and forced her legs apart,” officials said.

The victim, however, fought back, driving the alleged assailant to his feet and causing him to flee.

She gave chase as he fled northward toward the 2600 block of the beach but she eventually lost sight of the man.

Officials describe the suspect as having a medium build and physically fit. Police say he is between 5' 6” and 5' 10” tall.

At the time of the alleged assault, the suspect was wearing a “black collared shirt, dark jacket and dark jeans” and had “black, thick wavy hair,” officials said.

Police do not believe the man to be a transient.