This post was updated March 24 at 4:22 p.m.
UCPD arrested a Santa Monica man Friday after he allegedly trapped two UCLA students in his vehicle and threatened them earlier this month.
The man allegedly drove half a mile through Westwood while refusing to let the students leave his vehicle, according to a Tuesday UCPD press release. They were eventually able to exit on Gayley Avenue, according to the release.
Detectives arrested the man for kidnapping and false imprisonment, said Richard Mejia, the director of emergency communications and information for the Office of Campus and Community Safety. UCPD then began to suspect he had also sexually assaulted a different woman in October 2025, Mejia added, and he was booked for those charges about a week later.
“Just interviewing the victims and getting a description of the evidence that was collected at the scene, they were able to identify and locate him,” Mejia said. “They were able to further look into what other incidents fit that MO, which linked them to that October incident.”
UCPD originally arrested the man March 12, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Locator. He was released on bond, but UCPD officers arrested him again last week – this time for charges connected to the October assault, including one count of rape by force.
The man posted bail again and was released Saturday morning, according to the locator.
Mejia added that UCPD believes the man may have other victims, and that anyone who recognizes him or the information released should reach out to law enforcement.
While detectives are still finalizing the case, it will eventually be submitted to the LA County district attorney, Mejia said. UCPD wants to work with community members throughout the investigation, Mejia added, but does not believe there is a risk to Westwood residents at this time.
“The previous incident happened in this area, the first incident – the October incident – happened in the city of Los Angeles, so generally this area,” Mejia said. “It could even expand further. We don’t know. That’s why we’re asking for the community’s assistance on this one.”
