Homeless Man, Carlos Pineda, Charged With 4 Local Rapes

A Santa Monica area transient has been charged with the kidnapping and rape of four women between January of this year and July 2. Pablo Carlos Pineda, 32, though homeless, resides in the bay community of Santa Monica. According to the LA District Attorney, Pineda is alleged to have conducted his first sexual attack in Santa Monica on January 13. He is also believed to have raped a woman the next month, on February 5. By April, he'd moved his criminal activity to Beverly Hills, where he raped and then beat a victim with a brick, causing great bodily injury. The final attack of which the authorities know allegedly occurred on July 2 in West Los Angeles, when Pineda kidnapped and then raped his fourth victim.

Among the counts against Pineda is forcible rape, assault with a deadly weapon, and second-degree robbery.

The defendant was arrested on July 19 in the vicinity of MacArthur Park. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life.