The UCLA Police Department has arrested a Santa Monica man suspected of kidnapping two female UCLA students and, in a separate incident, raping a woman unaffiliated with the university.
Authorities arrested Alexander Schecter, 24, at his Santa Monica home on Friday and charged him with one count of forcible rape, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of robbery, one count of extortion and one count of battery, police said. He is not believed to be affiliated with the university, and his case will be presented to the LA County District Attorney’s Office for consideration.
According to the LA County Sheriff’s Department’s Inmate Information Center, Schecter was released on bond on Saturday and is due back in court on April 15. Detectives began investigating Shechter after two female students reported that a man prevented them from getting out of their vehicle and threatened violence when they were being dropped off near campus around 3 a.m. on March 8.
Detectives identified Shechter as the suspect in the incident and initially arrested him on March 12. He was booked on suspicion of kidnapping and false imprisonment and was later granted bail and released.
During their investigation, detectives uncovered evidence linking Shechter to a previously unreported sexual assault involving a different female victim. Police said the attack happened between 2 and 5 a.m. on Oct. 12, 2025, in the area of ​​Venice Boulevard and Clarington Avenue on the border of the Palms and Culver City.
The UCLA Police Department confirmed the details of the attack and developed probable cause to arrest Shechter for a second time on additional charges on Friday.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact the department’s Investigations Division at (310) 825-9371.
