San Diego police arrest suspect in attacks on women in North Park

San Diego police announced an arrest Tuesday in a series of late-night attacks against women in the North Park area that had left many residents afraid to leave their homes after dark.

David Angelo Drake, 23, was arrested Monday night and booked into jail early Tuesday. Tips from the public were key to the arrest, police said.

“This is a great result,” Chief Shelley Zimmerman said at a news conference.

All six victims were women walking alone. The earliest attack was at 9:40 p.m., the latest at 1:20 a.m. The first attack was June 11, the latest was Aug. 24.

In two cases, the victims remembered being attacked by two men. In all the incidents, the attacker or attackers approached the woman from behind and then punched them in the face.

Two of the victims were knocked unconscious, police said. In five of six cases, the victim “sustained significant injuries to her face,” police said.

On Aug. 29, police released a picture of a “person of interest,” from a surveillance camera. That led to several tips from residents, police said.

Drake has been booked on six counts of assault with a deadly weapon, six counts of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, five of felony battery and two of sexual assault with a foreign object.

“There may be more charges,” said Lt. Sandy Albrektsen of the Police Department’s sex crimes unit.

As city officials searched for ways to protect women in North Park, a canvass found that 23 streetlights were not functioning. All but two have now been fixed.

Also, the lights at the tennis courts at North Park Community Park were left on all night to provide additional safety.

City Council President Todd Gloria, who represents North Park, said the cooperation between residents and police that led to the arrest shows that “we will not surrender our community to a coward who preys on women.”

Drake is 6 feet 4 and 180 pounds; he is being held in jail in lieu of $855,000 in bail. His arraignment in San Diego County Superior Court is set for Thursday. More information on the attacks may be released at arraignment, said Dist. Atty. Bonnie Dumanis.

Drake has had only one minor criminal case in the past, police said, declining to be more specific.

Twitter: @LATsandiego