Authorities are warning people about a sexual predator on the loose on the South Coast. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies say two women have been assaulted along the coast near Santa Barbara in less than a week. They think the same man may be responsible for both attacks.
On Saturday, a man grabbed a jogger near Phelps Road and Ocean Walk Lane. The young woman fought back, and was hit in the face by the man before she was able to escape. She wasn’t seriously injured.
Then, Monday night a woman sitting in the Haskell’s Beach parking lot was approached by a man who grabbed her. The 18 year old woman was able to kick him in the groin, and he fled.
Detectives describe the suspect in both attacks as a white male between 40 and 60, with a white beard. He’s about 5’ 10”, and weights between 175 and 200 pounds. The victims say he smelled heavily of marijuana and alcohol.
