A Santa Monica man with no known university affiliation has been arrested on rape, kidnapping and related charges following a months-long investigation by the UCLA Police Department, authorities said Monday.
Alexander Schecter, 24, was taken into custody at his Santa Monica residence Friday at approximately 12:15 p.m. and booked on one count of rape by force, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of robbery, one count of extortion and one count of battery. Bail was set at $600,000. The case is being presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration.
Schecter was transported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
The arrest stems in part from an incident in the early morning hours of March 8, when UCLA Police responded to a report of a possible kidnapping and false imprisonment in the 500 block of Landfair Avenue. Two female UCLA students were being dropped off in the area when the suspect allegedly prevented them from exiting his vehicle and threatened violence. The victims remained in the vehicle as the suspect drove approximately half a mile to the 400 block of Gayley Avenue.
Detectives identified Schecter as a suspect in that incident four days later and arrested him March 12 on charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment. He posted bail.
During the continued investigation, detectives uncovered evidence linking Schecter to a previously unreported sexual assault involving an adult female victim with no known university affiliation. That assault occurred Oct. 12, 2025, between 2 and 5 a.m., near Venice Boulevard and Clarington Avenue in the City of Los Angeles. UCLA Police assumed primary investigative responsibility for that case and developed probable cause for the additional charges leading to Friday's arrest.
Detectives believe there may be additional unreported incidents and are urging potential victims to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the UCLA Police Department Investigations Division at 310-825-9371.