By Jorge Casuso

April 3, 2019 -- A Huntington Beach man suspected of ramming his vehicle into a Santa Monica parking attendant last month was arrested by police on Monday.

John Douglas Steuart, 57, allegedly struck the female attendant while exiting the Bank of America parking lot at 1301 4th Street Downtown on March 23 shortly after 9 a.m.

Steuart, who was driving a white 4-door cross-over type vehicle, was attempting to exit the parking lot without paying the parking fee, said Lt. Saul Rodriguez. "The parking attendant confronted the suspect about the payment due," he said. "While the victim was in front of the vehicle, the suspect accelerated the vehicle striking the victim causing her to fall to the ground. "While the victim was on the ground," Rodriguez said, "the suspect continued to accelerate striking the victim a second time."

The suspect then drove off at a high rate of speed, he said.

Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics treated the victim and transported her to a local hospital.

She was treated for a broken leg and released.

A preliminary investigation led police to identify Steuart as the primary suspect involved in the incident, Rodriguez said.

On Monday SMPD officers located Steuart and the vehicle involved in the incident in Pacific Palisades and took him into police custody.

Steuart has been booked for assault with a deadly weapon, Rodriguez said.

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

Anyone with information related to this incident should call Detective Haro at (310) 458-8432; Sgt. Skogh at (310) 458-8992; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458- 8491.