A suspect arrested during bat attacks against homeless men in California

Ramon Escobar, 47, was arrested Monday morning in connection with a series of brutal attacks on homeless men while he was sleeping in downtown Los Angeles.

(LAPD)

Authorities in Los Angeles said on Monday they arrested a suspect in a series of brutal attacks on homeless people in the city's downtown area, which left two dead and several seriously injured.

Ramon Escobar, 47, was arrested after police reported attacking a homeless man in Santa Monica, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Escobar has been charged with two murders and one head of attempted murder, the Times reported.

The victim of Monday's attack was unconscious in a nearby hospital, authorities said. The motive for the attack was not clear and no weapons were recovered, the newspaper reported.

The newspaper previously reported that three homeless men were attacked while sleeping in the city center with a bat on 16 September. Two of the victims died of their injuries and a third victim was hospitalized.

Authorities are also investigating whether Escobar has been involved in two attacks on homeless men near Santa Monica beach, the newspaper reported.

Surveillance footage was the key to Escobar's arrest, the paper report, citing anonymous law enforcement officials. The video allegedly showed the suspect searching the victims' pockets.

Police should release additional information on Tuesday.