A violent spree of assaults that shook up Long Beach earlier this year has culminated in an arrest, officials said. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) announced that they had apprehended a suspect linked to the vicious attacks that took place on January 4, 2024, where two women were assaulted within hours of each other, using a metal pole.
The first incident unfolded near 21st Street and Locust Avenue around 9:47 a.m., when an unidentified male targeted a female victim as she was pushing a child in a stroller. Following the assault, the woman was hospitalized, but the child, thankfully, was unharmed, the LBPD reported. Hours later, at 12:27 p.m., a second woman was struck without warning near 21st Street and Pine Avenue. She declined medical attention at the scene.
LBPD detectives doggedly pursued leads and gathered evidence leading to the arrest of Job Jesse Villegas, 27, a local homeless man. After a comprehensive investigation, in collaboration with patrol officers, detectives released a bulletin seeking the community's help to identify the suspect involved in these crimes.
On May 13, 2024, Special Investigations Division detectives located and arrested Villegas in Los Angeles. Charged with assault with a deadly weapon, among other offenses, Villegas now faces a $710,000 bail. According to the LBPD's press release, anyone with additional information on these assaults is encouraged to reach out to the police or submit a tip anonymously through "LA Crime Stoppers".
The troubling incidents evoke concern regarding public safety and the well-being of the homeless, underscoring complex social issues affecting urban communities. The LBPD continues to investigate the matter and urges public participation to assist in their ongoing efforts to maintain safety and order on the streets of Long Beach.
