Suspect in North Park Attacks Bound Over for Trial

A 23-year-old man accused of carrying out a string of attacks on women in North Park last spring and summer will face trial.

After a preliminary hearing lasting several days over several weeks, a San Diego County judge decided there was sufficient evidence supporting the charges against David Angelo Drake II. His case will go forward to trial.

The charges are connected to a series of attacks on women all in the residential area of San Diego west of Interstate 805 and south of El Cajon Boulevard. Many of victims reported being struck from behind and then assaulted after.

The attacks occurred between April and August of last year. Drake was arrested in September after a tip from a police officer’s wife who saw something unique about the suspect in the surveillance video.

The case centered much over eyewitness identification. None of the women could identify Drake, though DNA evidence linked him to some of the attacks, prosecutors said. Detectives have said he admitted to some cases, too.

A prosecutor said in court on Friday there was an unmistakable pattern tying all the cases together.

All of the women were attacked from behind and punched repeatedly in the face in an effort to knock them unconscious. Some of the women were sexually assaulted.

Here’s a look at all the cases:

April 30, 2014: Defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault by means to likely produce great bodily injury.

June 11: A woman told police she was thrown to the ground by one attacker on 33rd Street. Defendant is charged with sexual penetration (use of force), assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.

June 21: A woman was walking along Lincoln Avenue at 9:20 p.m. when she said two men attempted to attack her. Defendant is charged with assault to commit a specific felony and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.

June 24: A woman was walking along Lincoln Avenue near Oregon Street and was knocked unconscious in an attack from behind, police said. Defendant is charged with sexual penetration (use of force), assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault with intent to commit a specific felony.

July 20: A woman was knocked out while walking near the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Kansas Street around 1:20 a.m. Defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.

Aug. 12: Defendant is charged with sexual penetration (use of force), robbery and assault with intent to commit a specific felony.

Aug. 28: The victim was attacked from behind, punched in the face and knocked out. She screamed for help and the suspect ran away, avoiding capture. Defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault by means to produce great bodily injury.

If convicted, Drake faces life in prison.

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