On April 21, 2016 a series of residential burglaries occurred in the City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) announced Friday that following a complex investigation, on May 12, 2016, detectives from SMPD presented evidence to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office identifying Schfuncell Whitley in connection with the residential burglaries.
Prior to the evidence being presented to the District Attorney’s Office, Whitley was taken into custody on April 22, 2016 by the Beverly Hills Police Department as he attempted to flee from uniformed officers while driving a stolen vehicle. Subsequent to Whitley’s arrest, a firearm was recovered during a search.
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department have also identified Whitley as the primary suspect in a series of residential burglaries and sexual assaults in the Hollywood and West Los Angeles areas.
In collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department and Beverly Hills Police Department, SMPD Detectives developed information which led to the filing of additional felony counts for the Santa Monica residential burglaries. Whitley is being held on a $2.25 million dollar bail.
If anyone has any additional information regarding these crimes, please contact Detective HeeSeok Ahn at (310) 458-8452; Detective Nicole Sierra at (310) 458-8941 or LAPD Officer Catherine Banting (213) 972-2928.
