Suspect In Kidnapping Of 2 UCLA Students Linked To Earlier Sexual Assault: Police

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping two UCLA students and sexually assaulting another woman. Police on Tuesday said the man may have victimized others and urged other possible victims to step forward.

Alexander Schecter, 24, of Santa Monica, was arrested at his home on Friday afternoon. He was booked on suspicion of rape by force, forcible oral copulation, robbery, extortion and battery, according to the UCLA Police Department.

The charges against Schecter stem from at least two separate incidents.

UCLA police began investigating a reported possible kidnapping and false imprisonment that occurred on March 8 at around 3 p.m. on the 500 block of Landfair Avenue, according to police.

The suspect was dropping off two female UCLA students in the area when he prevented them from exiting his vehicle and threatened to harm them, police said.

Fearing for their safety, the women remained in his vehicle as he drove a half mile to the 400 block of Gayley Avenue, police said.

Authorities did not offer details about the relationship between Schecter and the women, including why he was driving the women. Police did say that Schecter is not affiliated with the university.

• See also: Police Release Sketch Of Kidnapper Who Took 2 Girls In Los Angeles: LAPD

Four days later, detectives identified Schecter as the suspect in that incident. He was arrested on charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment and later released on bail, police said.

As the investigation continued, police uncovered unspecified evidence linking Schecter to the sexual assault of a woman that occurred on October, police said.

That incident occurred in the early morning of October 12 near Venice Boulevard and Clarington Avenue in Palms. The victim in that case is not affiliated with the university, police said.

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

Authorities said "there may be additional unreported incidents involving Schecter" and urged anyone who believes they may have been victimized by him to contact the UCLA Police Department Investigations Division at 310-825-9371.