April 3, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Man Charged In Theft Of 55 Laptop Computers From UCLA:

Criminal charges were filed Thursday against a man who allegedly stole more than 50 laptop computers from a research library and the student union store at UCLA, where he had been enrolled earlier this year.

Seyed Ali Pakiz Hesari, 29, is charged with two counts each of grand theft of personal property and second-degree commercial burglary and one count of vandalism with over $400 in damage — all felonies — as well as a misdemeanor count of giving false information to a police officer.

Hesari was set to appear in court this afternoon for arraignment, but information on the outcome of the hearing wasn’t available.

Hesari, who was arrested Tuesday, is not currently enrolled at the university. But he had been enrolled as recently as March, studying history, according to UCLA.

Campus police recovered more than 50 stolen laptops late Tuesday when officers served a search warrant at Hesari’s residence in the 6900 block of Melrose Avenue after detaining him for questioning, the university reported.

“Acting on a tip about a man on campus matching the description of a burglary suspect … (police officers) made contact with Hesari in a recreation center on campus,” according to a UCLA statement, which said he “was wearing sweatpants and shoes similar to those worn by a suspect in surveillance footage.”

Fifty-five Apple laptops with an estimate value of $33,000 were stolen from the equipment loan room of the Charles E. Young Research Library early Saturday morning, and two Apple laptops were stolen from the Ackerman Union computer store on Sept. 28, UCLA reported.

In Saturday’s theft, the burglar smashed an east-facing ground level window to gain access to the library building, then smashed the window on a door to the room where laptops are loaned to patrons, according to UCLA police Chief James D. Herren.

in News
<>Related Posts

(Video) Palisades Art Gallery Owner on Relocating to Santa Monica

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bruce Lurie Owned What Was The Only Fine Arts Space in Palisades. The Gallery Has Found a New Life in...

Mikomi Sushi Opens New Santa Monica Location

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

The new location continues Mikomi Sushi’s commitment to serving sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls Mikomi Sushi, a well-regarded sushi restaurant...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Hands Off the Phone: SMPD Launches Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

One Text Could Cost You: SMPD Goes Into Heightened Alert in April The Santa Monica Police Department is stepping up...

Board of Supervisors Votes to Break from LAHSA, Create Independent County Homeless Department

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

With Billions on the Line, LA County Moves to Centralize Homeless Response Los Angeles County is making a dramatic shift...

Montalvo Custom Tailors Offers Complimentary Wardrobe Recovery Services to Fire Victims

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Tailoring Confidence: Montalvo Helps Residents Rebuild Wardrobes with Grace Montalvo Custom Tailors, a staple of luxury menswear in Los Angeles...

Caruso Sets Expected Timeline for Palisades Village Reopening: Report

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Caruso recently told a local outlet that bringing life back to the village is essential Palisades Village remains closed in...

County Moves to Clear Fire Debris from Unresponsive Properties

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

The County plans to launch additional efforts, using data and community partners to reach roughly 1,000 unresponsive owners The Los...

County Report Finds Malibu School District Proposal Fails to Meet Standards: SMMUSD

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

The LACOE feasibility study stems from a 2017 petition by the City of Malibu to form its own school district...

Nonprofit Warns of Heavy Metal Contamination in Santa Monica Bay

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

The contamination is linked to storm runoff carrying toxic debris from burned structures and scorched land in the Palisades, Topanga,...

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/PUWlOc89JQ For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū will soon...

USC Launches Free Soil Testing to Assess Post-Fire Contamination

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Residents Can Submit Samples to Check for Lead and Other Toxins A new program led by researchers at the University...

Los Angeles County’s Measure A Raises Sales Tax On April 1, And It’s No Joke

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Culver City, and Malibu Will See Higher Increases Starting April 1, Los Angeles County residents will...

Malibu Schedules Two Key Public Meetings for Wildfire Recovery and Insurance Guidance

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

City Officials to Provide Technical Support and Insurance Market Updates at Two Meetings Malibu residents affected by recent wildfires are...