Arrests Made in Connection to Multiple Assaults in Davis, One Suspect Still Wanted
“On March 29, 2024, at approximately 11:40 PM, two individuals were assaulted near the intersection of 2nd Street and F Street in downtown Davis. There were reported to be 5-6 suspects, some of whom were wearing masks, who approached the two victims and began to assault them, without apparent reason, severely injuring one victim.
Following the attack, the Police Department received videos from business surveillance cameras which showed the attack. Using those videos, the Department was able to locate clearer pictures of the suspects on two City owned, and City Council approved, surveillance cameras. The Department was also able to get a license plate for the vehicle in which they left the City.
Following the incident, Davis Police detectives conducted an extensive investigation lasting several months. Several law enforcement agencies were able to help identify the 6 individuals who were involved. They are: 21-year-old Mark Anthony Benard Jr. of Dixon; 18-year-old Jailen Marsean Samuel Lankford of Dixon; and four juveniles, whose names cannot be released under State law.
During the investigation, detectives also discovered video evidence of three other unreported assaults that occurred in Davis by some of the same individuals involved in the March 29th attack.
The evidence indicated that on January 4, 2024, at least one of the individuals attacked a man near the elevator in the City parking garage located at 101 F Street. On March 23, 2024, Mark Benard and two juveniles involved in the March 29th assault, attacked a man on the 500 block of L Street and later that night attacked two more men near the same elevator as the January 4th assault. All of the unreported attacks were unprovoked and targeted unhoused individuals living in Davis. Investigators were able to eventually identify all of the victims. None of these attacks resulted in serious injury.
Three of the involved juveniles have since been arrested for conspiracy and assault related charges. They were booked at the Davis Police Department and released on notices-to-appear.
A 15-year-old juvenile was arrested for conspiracy, battery, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault resulting in great bodily injury. He was booked at the Yolo County Juvenile Detention Facility.
Mark Benard Jr. was arrested for conspiracy, battery, assault with a deadly weapon, and grand theft. He was booked at the Yolo County Jail.
Jailen Marsean Samuel Lankford is currently wanted for his involvement in the crime that occurred on March 29, 2024. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, you can anonymously contact the Davis Police Department at 530-758-3600, policeweb@cityofdavis.org, or 911 if you are in Davis.”
