A man was arrested at his Ocean Park home on Wednesday morning, December 16, for soliciting the murder of a former business associate. “Investigators of the Santa Monica Police Department were able to foil the murder plot and ensure the safety of the intended victim,” said SMPD Sgt. Jay Trisler.
Paul Noel Harwood, 54, was charged in an investigation involving the trucking/transportation business, said Trisler. “Investigators served search warrants at Harwood’s residence; evidence related to the murder-for-hire plot as well as a small amount of narcotics were recovered,” he reported.
Harwood was booked at the Santa Monica jail on two counts of solicitation for murder and one count each of possession of cocaine and manufacture of cocaine. The narcotics did not figure in the trucking/transportation business so far as police are aware.
“Santa Monica police received information which led us to this investigation,” Trisler told the Mirror, adding that “everything is still under investigation” and “no additional suspects are being sought at this time.”
Harwood is scheduled to be arraigned on December 31 in Los Angeles Municipal Court at the Airport Courthouse on La Cienega Boulevard. He is being held on $2 million bail at the L.A. County Men’s Central Jail.
Anyone with information is asked by SMPD to contact Investigator Vince Gamache of the Special Operations Section at 310.458.8455 or Sergeant Robert Almada at 310.458.8455 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495. If you wish to remain anonymous, individuals can call WeTip at 1.800.78.CRIME (1.800.78.27463). You will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.
Callers can also contact Crime Stoppers by either calling 800.222.TIPS, texting from your mobile, or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. Callers may remain anonymous and may be qualified to receive a $1,000.00 reward by Crime Stoppers.
