By Jorge Casuso

July 6, 2021 -- A homeless Texas man carjacked a couple exiting a Downtown Parking structure early Friday morning then ran the driver over after attempting to sexually assault his female companion, police said.

Preston B. Rochon, a 30-year-old male from Texas, was arrested several blocks from the Santa Monica Place parking structure after colliding with a barrier on the Pier at around 1:20 a.m.

According to witnesses, Rochon exited the carjacked SUV and "walked away on Ocean Avenue," said Lt. Rudy Flores, the Police Department spokesman.

Additional information "suggested that the same vehicle was involved in a pedestrian hit and run near the 100 block of Colorado Avenue," Flores said.

Investigating officers determined that the vehicle Rochon was driving had been carjacked near the shopping mall parking structure, he said.

"Rochon attempted to grab and made reference to sexually assaulting the female causing the male victim to intervene," Flores said.

During the physical altercation Rochon took the vehicle and was chased by the male victim.

"Rochon reversed and ran him over before proceeding to crash into the barricade on the Pier," Flores said.

The male victim was transported to a local hospital with "significant injuries" and was in stable condition Tuesday, Flores said.

The female victim was later treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

Rochon "hadn't been in "the area" long before Friday's incident, Flores said. He had a prior criminal record in Texas.

Rochon was booked for attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, carjacking and assault to commit a sexual act.

Anyone with additional information about the incident should call Detective Burciaga with the Criminal Investigations Division at 310-458- 8932 or the Santa Monica Department’s Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458- 8427.