A man suspected of stalking and attacking women who walked alone at night in North Park remained in jail on $5 million bail after his attorney withdrew a bid Tuesday to seek a bail reduction.
David Angelo Drake II, 23, will next appear in San Diego Superior Court on Friday and his attorney will seek a delay in the previously scheduled preliminary hearing now set for Sept. 24.
The series of attacks began April 30 and Drake has been charged with assaulting seven women. The 18 charges include digital penetration, assault with intent to commit rape, robbery and felony assault with injuries.
Most of the women were shoved to the ground, punched in the face, with several victims saying they briefly lost consciousness. Two women reported their attacker sexually assaulted them.
Council President Todd Gloria appeared with Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman when she announced Drake’s arrest Sept. 9 following the Aug. 29 release of surveillance footage of images of a suspect walking down a sidewalk.
“We will have justice for the victims of these brutal assaults,” said Gloria.
Authorities said they were also looking for a second man as one victim told police two men tried to tear off her clothing in a June 17 incident on Meade Avenue in Normal Heights. Drake is not charged in that crime.
Drake pleaded not guilty to all counts. His lawyer, Daniel Greene, said his client has no record and “is very scared,” adding “he’s never been in a jail cell before.”
“No one person has identified Mr. Drake as the assailant,” said Greene.
Judge Peter Deddeh ordered TV news cameras to tilize the face of Drake at his arraignment as it was anticipated there were more suspect lineups by police for victims.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Golovato said the investigation is ongoing. She said if Drake is convicted and sentenced consecutively, he would face 114 years to life in prison.
The most recent incident took place Aug. 28 at 11:30 p.m. in an alley off Idaho Street near University Avenue. One woman suffered serious facial injuries in a July 20 attack at 1:20 a.m. on Lincoln Avenue near Kansas Street.
A woman reported she lost consciousness in a June 24 attack at 1 a.m. on Lincoln Avenue near Oregon Street in which she was sexually assaulted. June 21, a woman screamed as two men tried to tear her clothes off at 9:40 p.m. in the same location as the June 24 incident.
Drake is charged with digital penetration in a June 11 incident at 1 a.m. which occurred at 33rd Street near University Avenue in which a woman lost consciousness.
This article is a little behind on news. There have been many updates to the information you discussed. Including the fact that David is now facing 7 charges vs. the 23 previously, although there have been updates to the type of charges he is now facing … Also, if there are still witnesses that need to ID a suspect in a line up it is EXTREMELY late for that being that his image is all over the internet/facebook ….