Man arrested for kidnapping 2 UCLA students as well as raping a woman in 2025

A man was arrested for kidnapping of two UCLA students as well as a separate sex assault from 2025, the UCLA Police Department announced Tuesday.

Detectives said Alexander Schecter, a rideshare driver, was supposed to drop off two UCLA students on March 8. Instead, Schecter prevented them from getting out of the car and continued to drive half a mile on Gayley Avenue, police said.

Several days later, detectives identified Schecter and arrested him on charge of kidnapping and false imprisonment. The 24-year-old posted bail and was released.

As investigators continued to look closely into Schecter, they determined the man was linked to a previously unreported rape in West LA. The female victim, who has no known ties to UCLA, was assaulted on Oct. 12, 2025 between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. near Venice Boulevard and Clarington Avenue, the UCLA police said.

Schecter was arrested again on Friday in connection with that alleged sex assault and was booked on suspicion of rape by force, forcible oral copulation, robbery, extortion, and battery. His bail was set at $600,000, and Schecter was freed on bond the next day, according to jail records.

Police believe there may be additional unreported incidents involving Schecter and urged victims to come forward.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim or has information related to this case can contact the UCLA Police Department Investigations Division at 310-825-9371.

City News Service contributed to this report.