By Jorge Casuso

March 25, 2026 -- A Santa Monica man was arrested Friday and charged with kidnapping two female UCLA students this month and raping a woman unaffiliated with the school in a separate incident last October.

UCLA Police Department detectives arrested Alexander Schecter, 24, who is not believed to be affiliated with the university, at his Santa Monica residence at around 12:15 p.m.

Detectives believe Schecter could be involved in other sexual assaults and are urging any potential victims to come forward.

Schecter was booked Friday on one count each of rape by force, forcible oral copulation, robbery, extortion and battery in connection with the October 12 assault in Los Angeles.


He was transported Friday to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Twin Towers Correctional Facility and was held on $600,000 bail. He was released Saturday after posting bond, according to the LA Times.

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

Schecter had already been arrested and released on bail in connection with the kidnapping of two UCLA students at around 3 a.m. on March 8.

UCLA Police Department officers responded to a report of a possible kidnapping and false imprisonment in the 500 block of Landfair Avenue, officials said.

"Two female UCLA students were being dropped off in the area when the suspect allegedly prevented them from exiting his vehicle and
threatened violence," officials said.

"Fearing for their safety, the victims remained in the vehicle as the suspect drove approximately half a mile to the 400 block of Gayley Avenue."

Four days later, on March 12, detectives identified Schecter as the suspect and arrested him on charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment, officials said. He was booked and later posted bail.

While investigating the case, detectives "uncovered evidence linking Schecter to a previously unreported sexual assault involving an adult female victim with no known affiliation to the university," officials said.

The October 12 assault took place between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., in the area of Venice Boulevard and Clarington Avenue in Los Angeles.

"The UCLA Police Department assumed primary investigative responsibility, confirmed the assault, and developed probable cause for Schecter’s arrest on the additional charges" resulting in Friday's arrest, officials said.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim or has information related to this case can contact the UCLA Police Department Investigations Division at 310-825-9371.