Naked Man Held on $2 Million Bond After Sawtelle Attacks

Los Angeles, California – A recent social media post by "CA Crime Now" reported a police response to a "naked woman refusing to put on clothes and stay out of the street" near Sawtelle Boulevard and National Boulevard. The tweet indicated that police unit 14873 requested an additional unit and a supervisor for the incident involving a "311 woman." While this specific report highlighted a public disturbance, recent news coverage in the Sawtelle area has extensively detailed a separate, more violent incident involving a naked man.

In late February 2025, the Sawtelle neighborhood was shaken by a series of assaults perpetrated by a naked man, identified as 33-year-old Ishmail Bangura. According to reports from KTLA and CBS News, Bangura allegedly attacked a 3-year-old child before breaking into the home of 63-year-old Cherie Harter, assaulting her inside, and then pinning her down outside. Construction workers in the vicinity intervened, coming to Harter's aid and cornering Bangura until police arrived.

Bangura was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including assault with intent to commit rape and child abuse, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. He is currently being held on a $2 million bond. This incident, occurring in the same general Sawtelle area, has drawn significant attention to public safety and homelessness concerns within the community.

Residents and local officials have voiced frustrations regarding escalating issues. Rick Dreyfus, a general contractor who helped rescue the victim, stated, "The drugs have gotten worse. The violence has gotten worse. There's fights. There's fires." Councilmember Traci Park emphasized the need for decisive action from the Los Angeles Police Department to address dangerous individuals on the streets.

The events underscore ongoing challenges in managing public disturbances and ensuring community safety in West Los Angeles. While the original tweet pointed to a specific public indecency situation, the broader context of recent events in Sawtelle highlights heightened concerns about crime and public order, prompting calls for more vigilant policing and intervention.