Man accused of trapping UCLA students in car now faces rape charges
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A 24-year-old man accused of trapping UCLA students in his car now faces rape and other violent charges, and police are warning there may be more victims.
UCLA Police announced the arrest of Santa Monica resident Alexander Schecter, who detectives say is linked to multiple crimes, including sexual assault, kidnapping and extortion.
Schecter was taken into custody at his home in Santa Monica on March 20 and booked into the Los Angeles County jail system.
He faces charges such as forcible rape, forced oral copulation, robbery, extortion and assault.
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Alexander Schecter, a Santa Monica man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting victims in cases connected to the UCLA area, was arrested by UCLA police. Authorities say he is not affiliated with the university. (UCLA Police Department)
His bail was set at $600,000, but records show he was later released.
The arrest stems from an early morning incident near campus earlier this month.
According to investigators, around 3 a.m. on March 8, two female UCLA students were being dropped off when the suspect allegedly prevented them from exiting the vehicle and threatened violence.
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Janss Steps on the UCLA campus on October 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 for approximately half a mile before stopping in the Gayley Boulevard area.
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Detectives identified Schecter as the suspect and arrested him days later on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges. He was booked and later released on bail.
A student walks on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus in Los Angeles on September 18, 2009. (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)
During the investigation, police said detectives uncovered evidence linking Schecter to a previously unreported sexual assault involving an adult female with no known connection to UCLA.
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According to police, the attack occurred on October 12, 2025, in the area of Venice Boulevard and Clarington Avenue in Los Angeles. Police later said they confirmed the assault and determined probable cause for additional charges.
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Investigators say they believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to contact the UCLA Police Department.
Authorities said Schecter has no affiliation with the university.
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The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for consideration.
It is not yet clear whether Schechter has an attorney representing him.
Stepheny Price covers crimes including missing persons, murders and immigration crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
