A 24-year-old man, accused of confining UCLA students in his vehicle, is now facing serious charges including rape and other violent offenses. Authorities warn that there may be additional victims yet to come forward.
The UCLA Police Department has announced the arrest of Alexander Schecter, a resident of Santa Monica, who is reportedly involved in a string of crimes such as sexual assault, kidnapping, and extortion.
Schecter was apprehended on March 20 at his home in Santa Monica and has been placed into the Los Angeles County jail system.
The charges against him include several felonies, notably rape by force, forcible oral copulation, robbery, extortion, and battery.
According to the UCLA Police, Schecter is linked to incidents of kidnapping and sexual assault in the vicinity of UCLA. It has been clarified that he has no formal connections with the university.
Initially, his bail was set at $600,000. However, records indicate that he has since been released.
The arrest stems from an early-morning incident near campus earlier this month.
According to investigators, on March 8 around 3 a.m., two female UCLA students were being dropped off when the suspect allegedly prevented them from exiting the vehicle and threatened violence.
Janss Steps on the UCLA campus on Oct. 20, 2017. UCLA is a public university in the Los Angeles area. (MichaelGordon1/Getty Images)
Fearing for their safety, the victims remained inside as the suspect drove them roughly half a mile before stopping in the Gayley Avenue area.
Detectives identified Schecter as the suspect and arrested him days later on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges. He was booked and later posted bail.
A student walks on the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, Sept. 18, 2009. (Reuters/Lucy Nicholson )
During the investigation, police said detectives uncovered evidence linking Schecter to a previously unreported sexual assault involving an adult woman with no known affiliation to UCLA.
The assault occurred Oct. 12, 2025, in the area of Venice Boulevard and Clarington Avenue in Los Angeles, according to police, who said they later confirmed the attack and developed probable cause for the additional charges.
Investigators say they believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to contact the UCLA Police Department.
Authorities said Schecter is not believed to be affiliated with the university.
The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
It was not immediately clear if Schecter has an attorney representing him.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
