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Man exposed himself, grabbed woman before she broke free, Santa Monica police say

The Santa Monica Police Department is looking for a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman on March 1.

At about 8:15 p.m., the victim was waiting for a ride in the 1700 block of Ocean Park Boulevard when the man approached her, pulled down his pants and made “lewd statements,” police said in a news release.

The woman tried to leave, but “the suspect grabbed her from behind and began touching the victim inappropriately over her clothing” before she broke free and fled the area, police said.

Surveillance video showed the man was wearing white shoes and dark clothing, as well as what appears to be a necklace.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Tavera at ismael.tavera@santamonica.gov, Detective Sgt. Gradle at ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov or the watch commander at 310-458-8427.