Homeless man strangled on Santa Monica beach charged with attempted murder

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John Broeksmit, 31, is charged with attempted murder in the Sept. 19 attack in Santa Monica. Police say Broeksmit was arrested in Los Angeles on burglary charges just four days before the alleged attack. / Santa Monica Police Department

SANTA MONICA, California – A homeless man is charged with attempted murder in connection with the strangulation attack of another man in Santa Monica, police say.

The victim, a 28-year-old man, told police he was fishing at the water’s edge on the afternoon of September 19 when he was approached from behind and choked. The man suffered non-life-threatening neck injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect, later identified as John Broeksmit, 31, of Illinois, fled the scene before police arrived but was eventually arrested.

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Authorities said the victim and Broeksmit did not know each other and the attack was unprovoked.

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Police say a homeless man climbed on top of a woman sunbathing near the Santa Monica Pier and groped her before being arrested.

Just four days before the Santa Monica attack, Broeksmit had been arrested by Los Angeles police on charges of burglary and public intoxication. Broeksmit had been arrested in California this year on other charges, including possession of a weapon in a school and tampering with a fire alarm, according to police.

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Broeksmit’s bail is set at $2 million.